My 1st time to vote – 27th July 2008

Tomorrow will be the 27th July. It may be a normal day for many people but for us Cambodians, it is our fourth national election which takes place once every five year. The first national election was in 1993 with the help from the UN. The second election was in 1998 and the third election was in 2003.

It will be my first time to vote and I am really  looking forward to the feeling of being able to make decision on which political party I should vote for. I think eligible citizens should go to vote, they should use their rights. When we don’t have the right we ask for it, when we have it we must not not to use it.

Happy weekend,

National Election Campaign Season

Recently, Cambodia has started its journey to campaign for the up coming national election in July. On the street, we mostly saw five top known political campaign mini buses with logos at the front, then drivers and some people and campaigner at the middle to the back side. The four ranges from most handling power are:

• The Cambodian People Party or known as the ruling government
• Sam Rainsy party, opposition party which used to be a very strong party but has been weaken since last year.
• The Human Rights party, a newly formed political party derived from a famous former NGO president of the human rights sector. I think he should remain NGO human rights activist as you can always serve your society whichever sector you are as long as your have the commitment.
• FUNCINPEC, I don’t have much description to say about this because it is a long story.
• Norodom Ranarith party, presidented by a prince which was formerly the head of FUNCINPEC party. He was outsted from FUNCIPEC by the party meeting and following by two scandals of selling FUNCIPEC head quarter and adultery.

The campaign mini buses with microphone, amplifier, logo and related decoration drive to many roads in Phnom Penh and other provinces to announce about convincing people to vote for their parties. You can also hear about funny criticism that a political party speaks about other parties. Some parties offer to people Sarong, some money as well as gift in request for the people to vote for their party. I don’t think this is a good strategy because political parties should buy their votes by providing good living condition, employment opportunity, freedom of expression and better social development to their people.

Many people are worried when the national election is reaching, especially political stability and security. Middle men and business makers are taking also advantages of this period to increase prices of commodities like rice, vegetables, fruits, meat and other related.

So, from now on until around the 20s of July which is the election date, local media will feature national election campaign. I’ll take some pictures and post them here.

Enjoy your weekend,

Da