VUTHASURF

The inflamed military dispute with Thailand more than 10 days before Election Day after Preah Vihear temple was listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in Canada. Until a handful of Thai nationalist infuriated by claiming temple to Thailand, while Cambodian citizen were taking their attention to election.

The troop stand-off with Thailand made the ruling party (CPP) get a boost for votes from this situation. At the time, most of people turned their attention fully to Thai’s encroachment on Cambodian territory rather than the election. Meanwhile, Cambodians expressed concerns that the war with Thailand would break out, especially people living along border with Thailand. The Buildup of troops along border really affected the people’s minds when they would be ready to cast a ballot for the party they love.

The tension conflict distracted people from the election until they forgot what hurt them in the past such as corruption, land-grabbing, human trafficking, drug trafficking, robbery, murder…etc.

People who were prepared to not vote for CPP changed their mind to cast a vote for CPP because they thought that if they voted for other parties, the war between Thailand will erupt. By the way, they thought that all military are in the hand of the CPP, other parties have no troops.

Therefore, the build-up of troop at Preah Vihear was a major distraction for voters. And then people changed their mind to vote for. However, the CPP’s senior official declined that border conflict would not make the party gain advantage or get a boost from this situation because they already knew that their party would win over the majority of voters and form new government on their own without coalition with other parties.

Popularity: 8% [?]

One day before the Election Day, most of Cambodian people who are working far from the villages and houses, returning homes in order to fulfill a duty as citizen to choose the future of new government. Some of house’s owners locked their house for a few days in order to return to their downtown to vote.

Last night, my neighbor’s house locked since Saturday was burgled, while owners went back their village in order to participate in casting a vote. Three Solex keys were broken. People living nearby dare not to enter the broken house because the owners are not staying here. No specified property was reported, stolen.

In order to fulfill a duty as citizen in order to choose the future of their own country through one vote, but their property was stolen. Who is responsible for the stolen property? Who lost property? As result, only Cambodians are responsible for all burgled wealth. Won parties will not take care of this.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) is the richest and more mature party than other political parties, which are competing in July 27 National Election. According to the obvious activities during the election campaign, the CPP has spent so much money on promotion materials in comparison with other political parties.

In Phnom Penh capital, you really see the big party Billboards placed at the main streets and the attractive points for voters to be easy to see. By the way, the CPP’s members who participated in campaign utilize luxury cars and more vehicles. While the small and unknown parties just only employed Tuk-tuk, old trucks and motorbikes as well.

While I was riding through traffic light near Olympic Stadium, I saw big video screen installed close to big water basin, playing activities of previous achievements done under the CPP’s ruling. The CPP uses hi-technology more than the poor political parties that are trying to participate in competing with the well-known and big party.

That is the big Video screen installed at traffic light off Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh capital.

Popularity: 9% [?]

During one month-long official election campaign conducted across the country by registered eleven political parties for competing the fourth mandate of July 27 general election, Today, it is the last day for all political parties to seek voting supporters. Each party always used all means in order to attract voters through promises such as the elimination of land-grabbing, illegal immigration, the adoption of anti-corruption law, reduction of gasoline and so on.

Today, Friday, all political parties will hold mass rallies to mark the end of one month-long election campaign across the country. At the mean times, eligible Cambodian citizens who are working far from their home or ballot stations are prepared already to leave for their home and some left already because they are afraid of the break-out of unplanned incident before or during Election Day.

The military conflict between Cambodia and Thailand more than 10 days on land dispute in Phreah Vihear escalates the election situation in Cambodia, even though, no shooting has happened. Some workers working in garment factories were called by their families to return to villages in case the troop row with Thailand break out.

By the way, each party hopes that they will win further seats during this election from their supporters. That is the fourth national election in Cambodia since 1993. Therefore, most Cambodians always worry over the broken promises from political parties. Even though, according to experts said that, the level of knowledge of voters on the election process is improving in comparison with the previous elections.

Hang Puthea, executive director of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia, said that “This is the progress of the voters’ ideas, who focus on the political platform, candidates and internal party structure, because the political platform and internal party structure is a main method to attract support from the people.”

The peaceful solution of troop stand-off, which Thai troops have invaded Cambodian territory reached standstill, without shooting each other. Even though, people who are living in Preah Vihear province are still in fearful conditions, and they will probably not go to cast a vote on Sunday. On the other hand, Cambodians along with Thai border are worried about the armed break-out with Thai troops.

There are a few main political parties that most people are interested in but the small or newly-founded parities will not get enough votes of National Parliamentary seat for the next mandate. Some parties have been created in order to split voices only, not the real political parties. They are the puppet of the big parties. Therefore, they are really hard to find voting from people.

Popularity: 7% [?]