Prime Minister Hun Sen gestures during a meeting with factory workers in Svay Rieng province’s Bavet town on June 25. SPM
The amendments to the election law that were unanimously passed by the National Assembly on June 23 were not aimed at opposition parties alone, but would ensure that each of the Kingdom’s political parties would bear responsibility for the people, said Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The premier made the remarks while meeting with factory workers at the Manhattan Special Economic Zone in Svay Rieng province’s Bavet town on June 25.
“Some opposition party leaders have tried to shout about this, but the more they shout, the less people listen to them. Do not try to convince people that these amendments are a sign of corruption – you left us with no choice but the enact them.
“They are not aimed at you alone, but at all political parties, because they must act responsibly. Encouraging people not to cast ballots is counterproductive. If you don’t go to the polls, you waive your right to stand in any future elections,” he said.
Hun Sen added that overseas-based opposition groups had called on people not to take part in the July 23 election, but noted that the calls appeared to have calmed down since the amendments were passed.
He said that as a strategy, he had given opposition groups the chance to compete, but they had “imploded and destroyed themselves”.
He reiterated that the amendments would strengthen the accountability of anyone who wanted to stand in any election, which could only be described as a positive for the people in a democracy.
The National Assembly approved the amendments with a unanimous vote on June 23.
Following the approval, the Grassroots Democratic Party (GDP) issued a June 23 statement expressing their frustration at the speed the amendments were passed, particularly so close to the coming election.
The statement said that in the GDP’s opinion, the claimed purpose of the amendments did not match their contents, and failed to uphold the values and principles of liberal democracy and pluralism. On the contrary, they narrowed the democratic process and even caused fear and confusion, while affecting the decisions of the electorate.
“We urge all voters to decide the destiny of the country. Please follow the activities of members of the National Assembly and make a conscious decision to elect representatives who put the interests of citizens and the nation first, while ensuring and protecting your rights,” it said.
In a June 23 press release, the National Assembly said the purpose of the amendments is to encourage politicians who wish to stand for office to uphold the values of a liberal democracy and pluralism, as stipulated in the Constitution.
“The goal of the amendment is to reform ‘the right to stand as an election candidate’ to promote the values of a multi-party democracy as enshrined in Cambodia’s Constitution and to promote the responsibility of politicians who attain their position through democratic elections, both at the national and sub-national level,” it added.
