"The voter turnout rate this year was only 75 percent, lower than 83 percent in 2003, 94 percent in 1998 and 90 percent in 1993, said NEC."
Why voter turn-out during this election was drastically low compared to previous ones? When you looked at all the facts, and for the way the NEC had systematically manipulate voter's registration list, the result is obviously there. Out of 8 millions or so eligible voters there were barely 6 millions or so casted their ballots on that day. Many turned out to vote, but only to find their names weren't on the list. Of course, when you have more than a million eligible voters or so eliminated from the list, it is not at all difficult to see the reason. On top of that you had an additional issue of allowing commune chiefs handing out 1080Form to minors and migrant people to vote in favor of the CPP. Obviously, it does indeed affect negatively on the outcome of the election and voter's turn-out.
The NEC had its own explaination and unfortunately the head of the EU monitors seems to buy into that argument, as well. There is a million voters out there that could not vote on that day, a significant ballots which could impact the overall outcome of the election - a large proportion of votes that could have provided some sort of check-and-balance in the National Assembly.
Why voter turn-out during this election was drastically low compared to previous ones? When you looked at all the facts, and for the way the NEC had systematically manipulate voter's registration list, the result is obviously there. Out of 8 millions or so eligible voters there were barely 6 millions or so casted their ballots on that day. Many turned out to vote, but only to find their names weren't on the list. Of course, when you have more than a million eligible voters or so eliminated from the list, it is not at all difficult to see the reason. On top of that you had an additional issue of allowing commune chiefs handing out 1080Form to minors and migrant people to vote in favor of the CPP. Obviously, it does indeed affect negatively on the outcome of the election and voter's turn-out.
The NEC had its own explaination and unfortunately the head of the EU monitors seems to buy into that argument, as well. There is a million voters out there that could not vote on that day, a significant ballots which could impact the overall outcome of the election - a large proportion of votes that could have provided some sort of check-and-balance in the National Assembly.
The West seems to sit well on this raw thinking that this kind of election flaws, the one we just had, could be accepted as it is, given our historical proportion, especially when it comes to a third world nation like Cambodia - a country which never truly experienced democracy prior to UNTAC. What an argument that is? However, this childish notion won't fly in their own backyard. Their people will never accept this kind of silly argument in the first place. There would be plenty of committee hearings and independant investigation into the election, itself.
There is not a question in any reasonable mind to see that this election has been rigged to a certain extend, tempered with in many ways in favour of the ruling party, from national level down to the far villages across the country. That is a fact on the ground and it needs to be addressed to the satisfaction of all parties involved, especially the Cambodian voters who were not able to vote on that day.
I am disappointed, but not at all surprised with a U-Turn decision of the Royalist parties, Funcinpec and NRP, when it comes to defending the people's rights, especially, those hugh chunk of voters who were left out intentionally on the day of the election. I think this particular flip-flop decision will come back to hurt them even more politically in future elections.
It could not be more clearer now to those democrats around the world, especially, people who advocated merging of opposition parties to see that the royalist parties have had and will always be the partners of the CPP, at any term given.
It won't be difficult to see that Funcinpec and NRP might eventually disolve themselves and become full member of a one party state under the umbrella of the CPP. Come to think of it, they are actually in that stage already.
It is almost unthinkable for anyone to see how far and how little a major political party such as Funcinpec has come, from victorious UNTAC election 1993 to today. A mighty once popular and respectable party which has now and continued to reduced itself to barely none existing, surviving by a mediocre two seats in the NA. It has always been self-inflicted from day one due to the lack of leadership and vision, not to mention personal greeds and co-corruptions which has brought the party to where it is today. A good lesson to draw from for other party leader.
It is politically and morally imperative that the Sam Rainsy and Human Rights Party stay focus on the issue at hands, demanding that our people's rights be respected, and all concerns need to be dealt with. Otherwise, there won't be any need to participate in future election because you can expect to see more of the same or even worse result than the one we are experiencing right now. Our people demands a right to cast their ballots on election day. The NEC and the RCG should at least allow them that right. After all, it only happens in once every five year.
