If the Cambodia Reform Party were to win commune positions, it would work to empower the grassroots and ensure there is no corruption in the delivery of public services, said party founder Ou Chanrath. He had to contest this election because an uncontested ballot risked turning Cambodia into a “second China,” he said.
VOD reporters followed the launch of the official campaigning period for the June 5 commune election on Saturday morning. The Candlelight Party held a march through Phnom Penh, while the ruling CPP conducted gatherings within communes. Other parties like the Grassroots Democratic Party and the Khmer National United Party also kicked off their campaigning.
Chao Ratanak, Candlelight’s top candidate in Poipet commune, where her father once served as an opposition councilor, had no political experience until recently. If elected, she says she’ll draw on lessons from her father and her family’s migrant worker experience.
The ruling CPP will not have any major rallies when the campaign period kicks off on Saturday, said a party spokesperson, while a Candlelight Party official asked members to refrain from incendiary comments even once rallies kick off.
The party won just over 1,000 votes in Mondulkiri in 2017, and many local residents don’t even know its name — only its elephant logo. But amid rampant land loss — burial grounds seemingly targeted by brokers — the Indigenous People’s Party wants to push back.
Election campaigning will kick off on Saturday for the two weeks ahead of the June 5 vote, during which parties will be allowed two rallies per contesting commune as long as they stay within boundaries and give three days’ notice.
The opposition Candlelight Party told candidates to carry on competition against the ruling party amid lawsuits and disqualifications at a party congress on Sunday.
Cambodians abroad can vote in their country’s elections at embassy voting booths like Thai and Philippines nationals, suggests CEROC president Sophoan Seng.
The NEC on Friday announced 52,000 bottles of ink as indelible and fit to be used for the June 5 commune election. The ink is imported from an Indian company and is expected to remain on a voter’s finger for at least the duration of the balloting.
Kung Raiya has gone to jail for seeking a “color revolution” and later for selling Kem Ley commemorative T-shirts. The prison stints initially deterred him from being politically active, but with three weeks to go for the June election he is running for commune chief in Kampong Cham.
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