Guinea-Bissau Prime Minster Nuno Gomes Nabiam observes election process in Kandal province on July 23. Heng Chivoan
Following the conclusion of Cambodia’s general election, several political parties that did not succeed in securing a seat said they graciously accepted the results and extended their gratitude to voters.
The National Election Committee (NEC) is expected to announce the official results between August 9 and September 4.
Pich Sros, president of the Cambodian Youth Party (CYP), said on July 25 that he felt satisfied with the outcome of the election, and that even though his party did not manage to secure a seat in the National Assembly (NA), he was pleased by the increased support the party had garnered.
This was seen in the steady rise in votes since the 2017 election, he noted.
Sros pointed out the humble beginnings of his party, starting from “zero”, and attributed the growth in support to the relentless effort of the party’s leadership.
He recounted how, in the 2017 commune council elections, they only received over 1,500 votes. This increased to more than 13,000 in the 2022 commune elections and to nearly 40,000 in the 2018 general election.
In the 2023 election, the party attracted nearly 100,000 votes.
“Certain individuals may assert we haven’t won the election, but in my eyes, our party’s boost in votes is a victory in itself,” said Sros.
Yeng Virak, president of the Grassroots Democratic Party (GDP), also acknowledged the election results on July 24 and vowed to continue fighting for democracy for future generations.
Despite not securing an NA seat, he thanked the people for their votes.
“Honouring the initial results, I respect the verdict of the voters. The GDP came into being to embody the choice of the people, as this is the sole route for us to address issues and re-establish democratic procedures in Cambodia,” stated Virak.
He said he was not disheartened or frustrated by not winning a parliament seat, adding that he has never sought the seat for personal ambition but rather for the integrity with which he can perform his duties.
Despite challenges, Virak said he is content with his work, as it has been in the best interest of the people, and has helped to strengthen his stance.
Simultaneously, the Khmer United Party expressed support for the election results.
They observed that the election campaign period went smoothly, in accordance with the 1993 Constitution, being free, fair, neutral and devoid of disruption or violence.
“We endorse the 2023 parliamentary election results. The NEC-conducted election was free, fair and aligned with principles of liberal democracy and pluralism, and is accepted by all,” read their statement.
On July 25, the Ekpheap Cheat Khmer Party also recognised the election results. They commended the “fairness, neutrality and alignment” of the election process with the principles of liberal democracy and pluralism.
They praised the NEC for permitting local and international observers, journalists, associations, NGOs and political party observers to monitor and supervise the election.
Commenting on the parties’ acceptance of the results, Sok Eysan, a spokesman for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) which according to preliminary results secured 120 of the 125 parliament seats, said it demonstrated the democratic, free and fair nature of the electoral process.
“Election results acknowledged by these parties are a historical truth of Cambodia, proving the deepening of the democratic process in Cambodian society and among the people,” he said.
The preliminary results indicated that the royalist FUNCINPEC Party, led by Prince Norodom Chakravuth, won five of the 125 seats – one each in Phnom Penh and four provincial constituencies of Prey Veng, Kampong Cham, Kandal and Kampong Thom.
