Phnom Penh (FN), August 1 -- According to the National Election Committee`s report, 82.89% of the total 8,380,217 Cambodian people who was registered in the voter list have attended in the Cambodia`s democracy process by turning out for a Parliamentary Election on July 29th, 2018, while the rest (<18%) have resorted not to vote.

Such a huge turnout rate reflected their delight, awareness, and commitment in the democracy process. Despite appeals made by a small group of traitors (Cambodia`s former opposition) and a handful of their aligned foreigners for Cambodian people`s boycott in the election, their turn out meant that they didn`t give up their rights to vote and were not caught up by the outlawed opposition`s political trap.

The 82.89% turnout rate was so high that some countries who named themselves a “Father of Democracy” and who have always been behind traitor Sam Rainsy cannot compete. In the last three universal elections, the turnout rates have been incredibly high. In the 2017 Commune-Sangkat Elections, the number of people turning out to cast their vote was 7,107,395 out of the registered 7,865,033 voters, at a rate of 90.37% and with around 133,484 invalid votes. For the recent 2018 Parliamentary Election, the number of people turning out was 6,946,164 out of the registered 8,380,217 voters. The turnout rate was 82.89%, compared to 69.61% in the 2013 Parliamentary Election.

Such a high rate explained that Cambodian people have supported Cambodia`s democracy process and have chosen peace, development and political stability over “color” revolution and war. Only a few people have chosen to “Stay Home and Win” as appealed in a campaign by the outcast rebellion Sam Rainsy and co. The turnout rate was a sign suggesting that Cambodian people have actively taken part in the Cambodia`s democracy process, supported election process, and observed Cambodia`s constitution and election laws. This showed that Cambodia is on the right path of multiparty democracy. It also showed that Cambodia is observing its constitution – its highest charter – and constitutional monarchy – the Cambodian`s choice.

Such a huge turnout rate showed clearly Cambodian people`s will against some foreign interference into Cambodia`s affairs, independence and sovereignty.
Their huge turnout in the election was to silence “Stay Home and Win” and “Clean Finger” campaigns, systematically run by the outlawed former opposition and a few civil organizations in a bid to interrupt, confuse, defame and destroy the election – the foundation of the democracy. They shamelessly lose in the campaigns.

Cambodian people`s turnout in the election explicitly reflected their intention to make peace and development their priority and to safeguard their hard-fought rights and democracy. The more-than-82% turnout rate was an important warning message to the convicted Sam Rainsy and co, as well as their foreign counterparts, that the more they hurt Cambodia and Cambodian people, the higher commitment Cambodian people have to protect their nation and interest, and that Cambodian people was no longer afraid or would not overreact to their incitement.

By Chao Chaksmok,
Political Analyst