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By Sam Rainsy The first results of the commune elections of June 5 show that a people’s desire for change can’t be wiped out at the stroke of a pen.
After the arbitrary dissolution in 2017 of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) as the only credible opposition party, and despite the continuous atmosphere of fear and intimidation in Cambodia, hope for democratic change at the ballot box has been revived by the Candlelight Party (CP).
Despite the many obstacles put in front of it, the CP has achieved an impressive score in the context of a “paralyzing environment” in Cambodia, as noted by the United Nations Human Rights Office.
The public is not being allowed to witness the vote counting, as is required by the National Election Committee (NEC). The NEC is therefore breaking its own rules.
In this context, even a single municipal councillor seat won by the CP from among the 5,000 which the ruling party confiscated from the CNRP in 2017 represents a victory for the forces of democracy. Every seat won is a seat less for the autocratic regime of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power for 37 years.
Today, thanks to the courage and intelligence of Cambodian democrats who refuse to give up their struggle, the monopoly of power exercised by Hun Sen has been broken at the local level, despite the unjust character of these communal elections.
With legislative elections set for July 2023, this monopoly of power in a single party system will be decisively broken in the light of the democratic momentum witnessed today.
By contributing to the organisation of real, fair and free elections in 2023, the international community of democratic nations can help the people of Cambodia to gain control of their own destiny.
Sam Rainsy
Founder of the Candlelight Party which, since 1995, has taken different names to escape administrative, political and judicial harassment.
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