Cambodia launches campaign to persuade voters to turn out for July election despite international scepticism
The main opposition party was dissolved last November after its leaders were charged with treason for allegedly plotting to overthrow Hun Sen’s government with the help of the United States
Cambodia’s election panel on Friday began a campaign to get voters to turn out for a July 29 general election, despite the concerns of some Western nations and the United Nations that the vote might not be free or fair after a key opposition party ban.
The campaign comes amid repeated calls from former opposition leader Sam Rainsy for Cambodians to boycott the election if his dissolved Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) is not allowed to take part.
The National Election Committee (NEC) held question-and-answer sessions with about 800 students in the southwestern province of Takeo, following a lecture about the vote.
“We want to come here to explain the truth and the true work of the NEC,” said Dim Sovannarom, the NEC spokesman.
He said the students’ questions mostly concerned whether the vote would be legitimate without the CNRP, which the Supreme Court dissolved last year, leaving fewer political parties in the fray.
The campaign will also feature television programmes to increase awareness about voting rights and the identity documents voters need to take to polling stations, he added.