Overview of Election Results

Cambodia’s 5th General Elections

July 29, 2013

BGA Cambodia Team

Cambodia went to the polls on July 28 in the 5^th general elections since the UNTAC’s organized 1993 first free elections. Ruling CPP has pulled out all its heavy artillery since last year to counter the new Opposition merger CNRP. CPP saw its majority of 90 seats in the National Assembly (Lower House) 123 seats being reduced dramatically to 68 seats with CNRP making substantial inroad with the boost from the Youth electorate winning 55 seats from previous 29 seats.

Out of 9.67 millions registered voters, 3.5 millions are aged between 18 to 30 making it a significant segment which both CPP and CNRP have been wooing for this election. Substantial bloated voters registration list exceeding 125% in some constituencies were reported by the media a few days prior to elections. A number of 7700 election observers were deployed throughout the country for fraud monitoring.

While both parties encourage foreign investment, there are some subtleties in their approach. For the CNRP, attracting the “right” kind of foreign investors that help stimulate production is at the heart of its foreign investment strategy. They say eliminating the expensive cost of corruption and enforcing the rule of law will create a more welcoming investment environment. Nonetheless, CNRP could not ignore the relationship with China and said the government’s current relationship with Chinese investors needs more scrutiny claiming that expensive loans combined with timber and mineral extraction “are not benefiting the country”.

Below is an overview of the elections results:

·       Functioning of the National Assembly in the 5^th Mandate. The Constitution stated that sessions of the National Assembly shall be considered valid, only if:

A-There is a quorum of more than two thirds of all National Assembly Members, for any votes requiring a two-thirds majority of all Members.

B-There is a quorum of more than a half of all National Assembly Members for any votes requiring an absolute majority of all Members.

With its 55 seats obtained, CNRP is now in a position to block parliamentarian sessions requiring two thirds quorum.

CPP can govern with simple majority (50+1) as well as pass legislation but to pass a law, the National Assembly needs a quorum of 2/3 to convene a session. This is where CNRP has to mean to boycott any session if legislation to be passed by CPP is not found to be satisfactory.

·         Coalition Government for next mandate? Nothing is impossible in Cambodia especially given the country’s past experience of Coalition Government in the first few mandates. This may be a likely political development as having lost so many seats now, PM Hun Sen may have to answer to his peers within the Party.

Opposition challenges election results

The opposition has in every single past election complained the electoral process has never been free and fair. On July 28 morning, some video clips went viral on Facebook as evidence of some Vietnamese Nationals caught trying to enter voting booths. Minister of Information, Khieu Kanharith, also acknowledge it on his Facebook wall the same morning. 1 million past voters saw their names deleted from the electoral list while some constituencies had substantial bloated voters registration list exceeding 125% as revealed by observers and non CPP controlled media. We don’t know yet now how strong the contest may be and how long it would take to settle the issue.

Hun Sen continues as Prime Minister

It is unlikely CPP stalwarts would challenge Hun Sen in his premiership and CPP will likely have a harder time to govern in the next mandate given the opposition’s new strength in Parliament. This may surely see the next Cabinet being filled with more “efficient” Ministers as the rejuvenation has already taken place within the Party.

What the Election Results Mean for Your Business

CPP has been all along implementing pro-business policies and steered the economy to a steady growth over the last decade. However, transparency and governance remained concerns that need to be addressed. With CNRP now controlling over one third of Parliamentarian seats, pressure would be more consistent in the next mandate for CPP to strive on better governance.