វេទិកាស្ថាប័នស្រាវជ្រាវ ឆ្នាំ២០២២ សេចក្តីផ្លែងការណ៍ស្តីពី ការបោះឆ្នោតជ្រើសរើសសមាជិកក្រុមប្រឹកក្សាឃុំ-សង្កាត់ អាណត្តិទី៥ នៅកម្ពុជាំ

 

Think Tank 2022 Statement on the 5th Commune Election in Cambodia

Phnom Penh, June 6, 2022

1. At the invitation of the National Election Committee (NEC) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs  and  International  Cooperation  of  the  Kingdom  of Cambodia, the Think  Tank   2022 Forum - a Civil Society platform of the Universal Peace Federation that brings together world leaders, scholars as well as experts from across the world to discuss peace and security issues and to seek peaceful solutions  including reconciliation and reunification in the region - has sent a delegation to observe the 5th Commune Election held on 5th June 2022 in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

2. During our stay in Cambodia, the delegation had the opportunity to meet with Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the NEC, leaders of the Civil Society Alliance Forum of Cambodia, and the representatives of key political parties, local and international observers, election monitors, including from diplomatic missions in Cambodia and international organisations, think tanks and other civil society organisations. The delegation also attended a workshop organized by the Civil Society Alliance Forum, which was joined by around 70 other international observers. At the workshop, we briefed further on the democratic process and progress in Cambodia since the first general election in 1993, the election laws and various political issues.

3. The delegation took note of the fact that 17 political parties had registered with NEC to  compete  in  this  sub-national  election, reflecting  a  vibrant  participation  in  the multi-party-democratic process in line with the country's 1993 Constitution. More noticeably, throughout the campaign period from 21st May to 3rd June 2022, all major processes were conducted in a smooth, calm, peaceful, transparent, free and just manner. There was no indication of threats or irregularities of any sort could be observed.

4. Based on the firsthand experience on the election day, the delegation wishes to provide our assessment on the voting process as follows:

a. From the random visits to several polling stations, prior to the opening  hour of the voting, the delegation could observe a good preparation process, while NEC staff conducted their duties with high professionalism and integrity.

b. Through randomly observing the voting process, at various polling stations in the capital city of Phnom Penh and in adjacent urban and suburban areas, the delegation noted that all the relevant Cambodian authorities had put immense efforts in providing a conducive condition for all political parties to participate in the election, based on the principles of inclusiveness, transparency, free and fairness, which essentially ensured against any major incidents that could undermine the process and the results of this subnational election.

5. Overall, the delegation is of the view that the election was successfully organised in a free, fair, inclusive, peaceful, transparent and safe environment and in accordance with inte1national standard and practices. The conduct of this election has demonstrated the considerable experience that Cambodia has acquired in organizing local and parliamentary elections over the course of more than two decades.

6. In this connection, the delegation of the Think Tank 2022 Forum would like to commend the Cambodian voters who have actively exercised their rights at the ballot box, the political parties for their commitment to respect the rules and regulation s and the relevant authorities for ensuring the peaceful conduct of the Commune Election.

7. The delegation views the success of this Commune Election as another testimony to the progress of Cambodia's democracy and the election outcomes truly reflect the will of the Cambodian people.

Hon. Dr. Yun Young-Ho

Director-General, UPF and THINK TANK 2022 

June 6, 2022

Phnom Penh