For the fifth time since the fall of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodians head to the polls today for the National Assembly elections. 9.7 million Cambodians are eligible to vote and about 70% are expected to turn out. Up for grabs are 123 seats in the parliament which candidates from eight parties are vying to keep warm for the next five years.
Though a far cry from grenade attacks, shootings, and assassinations which marred previous elections, domestic and international watchdogs are still finding irregularities in the voting. Claims of ghost voters, indelible ink washing off, media censorship, and registered names not appearing on voting registries are raising questions of the accuracy and legitimacy of the election results.
The biggest news was the “11th-hour return” of Sam Rainsy, the main opposition figure who’s been living in self-imposed exile in France. Even with his return, though, the incumbent party–Cambodian People’s Party–that has ruled the country for nearly 30 years is expected to retain the majority of seats. Cambodians hoping for change, however, will likely consider a significant shift in the proportion of seats towards the opposition as a small victory and promising sign for winning the 2018 elections.
A monk casts his vote early in the morning. (VOA)
School rooms converted into voting stations
Lady casting her ballot (left window).
The indelible ink voters dip their fingers in after voting.
