6-2-2024 (PHNOM PENH) The state of democracy in Cambodia has been in decline ever since Prime Minister Hun Manet assumed office in August last year, claims Teav Vannol, the president of the Candlelight Party, an opposition group that was barred from participating in last year’s general election.
In an interview with Nikkei Asia in Tokyo on Monday, Vannol expressed his concerns about the deteriorating democratic situation under Hun Manet’s administration. “There is no democracy in Cambodia. His administration is regressing in terms of democracy,” he stated, while also revealing his intentions to seek support from the Japanese government.
According to Vannol, Hun Manet has been even more stringent in controlling his opponents compared to his father and predecessor, Hun Sen. Vannol further accused the prime minister of arresting political adversaries, exacerbating the crackdown on dissenting voices.
The Candlelight Party, which succeeded the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), the former leading opposition party, garnered a little over 20% of the votes in the local elections held in June 2022. However, the country’s election commission disqualified the party from participating in the national vote, citing missing registration documents.
The general election ultimately resulted in a resounding victory for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), securing 120 out of the 125 available seats.
Under the new government, the crackdown on political opponents has persisted, with threats and arrests becoming commonplace. Candlelight Party members have also faced intimidation and safety concerns. Vannol expressed apprehension about the safety of himself and his colleagues as they continue their political activities in Cambodia, revealing that they are under constant surveillance through round-the-clock camera monitoring.
Later this month, Cambodia is set to hold senate elections, which occur every six years and involve voting by commune council members and other eligible individuals. The CPP is expected to benefit from these elections due to its overwhelming majority among the nearly 11,600 councilors. In light of the ban imposed on his party, Vannol disclosed that they are collaborating with the Khmer Will Party, another opposition group. Some members of the Candlelight Party have reportedly been transferred to the Khmer Will Party to participate in the upcoming election.
“They do whatever they want—there is simply no justice,” remarked Vannol, emphasizing that the prime minister’s words hold the power to effect change.
In the 2018 national election, the CPP secured all available seats after the compliant judiciary dissolved the CNRP, the predecessor to the Candlelight Party, which had secured nearly half the votes in the 2013 election.
When asked about the timeline for Cambodia to achieve democracy, Vannol admitted uncertainty, noting that it ultimately depends on the Cambodian people’s desire for change. He stressed the importance of a hunger for democracy among the populace.
