The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) has won commanding council election victories in the Kingdom’s five newly established voting town and districts.

According to preliminary results released by the National Election Committee (NEC) on April 9, the night of the election, the CPP received 209 votes across the five electorates. The Candlelight Party (CP) – the country’s second largest – claimed 37 while FUNCINPEC failed to receive a single vote.

In Kandal province, the Arey Ksat town election saw the CPP get 54 votes, with the CP totalling 11. In Sampov Puon, the CPP saw 37 to the CP’s 14.

In Kampong Speu province’s Oudong Me Chey town, the CPP received 32 votes, with CP claiming five, while in Samaki Monichey district, the CPP claimed 62 to the CP’s six.

In Kratie province’s O’Krieng Sen Chey district, the CPP received 24 votes, with just one going to the CP.

NEC chairman Prach Chan said that five polling stations were opened from 7am to 8:25am, and that 100 per cent of the eligible council members had cast their ballots.

“The election went smoothly, without any irregularities. The vote counting began immediately after the polls closed, and the final counts were posted at the polling stations and shared with the political party representatives who were present,” he added.

He explained that as there were no irregularities, he did not expect any complaints, but noted that, in accordance with the law, political parties had two days from the date of the election to lodge complaints, in this case April 11.

“If no complaints are entered, the provincial election commission will summarise the results and forward them to the NEC,” he said.

CPP spokesman Sok Eysan said briefly that the CPP welcomed the results, noting that the election went smoothly and was fair and just, in line with the principles of Cambodian democracy.