2003 Cambodian general election

Background

Cambodia became a democracy in the early 1990s with the first democratic elections held in 1993. After both elections during the 1990s the Cambodian People's Party formed coalition governments with the royalist FUNCINPEC party. It took place a year after FUNCINPEC had been violently ousted from the coalition government by the Cambodian People's Party. However following the election they once more formed a coalition with Hun Sen as Prime Minister and FUNCINPEC's leader Prince Norodom Ranarridh, the son of King Norodom Sihanouk, as his deputy.

In local elections in 2002 the Cambodian People's Party performed strongly leading in 1,597 of the 1,621 communes of Cambodia. Meanwhile, FUNCINPEC suffered a setback dropping to only 22% of the vote.

Campaign

The run-up to the election saw some violence including the killing of a judge and a royalist politician, however it was much reduced from previous elections. During the campaign the United States Secretary of State Colin Powell visited Cambodia, met all three main party leaders and called on all parties to have fair coverage in the media. In total 22 parties contested the election but only three were seen as real contenders in the election.

The Cambodian People's Party had control of much of the media in Cambodia, the most money and a superior party machine.

The two main opposition parties criticised the government of Hun Sen for its corruption and pledged to improve health and education in Cambodia. FUNCINPEC called for reform of the economy and for more foreign investment, but their leader, Norodom Ranariddh, was seen as being ineffective and his party's popularity was in decline. Meanwhile, the Sam Rainsy Party criticised corruption, pledged more money for health, education and civil servant pay and attempted to attract the poor. The party had grown in strength since the previous election but their leader Sam Rainsy was seen as being authoritarian.

Results

Voter turnout in the election was high with over 80% casting ballots. The results saw the Cambodian People's Party win a clear majority of seats but fell short of the two-thirds majority required in order to elect a Prime Minister on their own. FUNCINPEC lost ground dropping from the 31% they had won in 1998 to only just over 20% this time, while the Sam Rainsy Party rose to 22% from 14% in 1998.

Aftermath

Following the election, FUNCINPEC and the Sam Rainsy Party refused to attend parliament and formed an "Alliance of Democrats" in order to block Hun Sen from being elected Prime Minister again. They rejected the official results and said that they had been manipulated by the Cambodian People's Party. However, despite no government being formed, a caretaker administration run by Hun Sen and the Cambodian People's Party was able to continue.

A provisional agreement was said to have been reached in November on a three party government led by Hun Sen but the opposition later denied this. On the 15 July 2004 the Cambodian parliament finally approved the new government with 96 of the 123 members voting in favour. There was a significant increase in the number of ministers to 207, including 7 deputy prime ministers and 180 cabinet ministers, in order to reach agreement on the new government.

Literature

References

References

1. Kazmin, Amy. (2003-06-20). "Powell call over Cambodian poll media US OFFICIAL'S VISIT:". [[Financial Times]].
2. (2003-06-07). "Asia: Limousines and poverty; Cambodia". [[The Economist]].
3. Spillius, Alex. (2003-07-28). "Hun Sen on his way to poll win in Cambodia". [[The Daily Telegraph]].
4. (2003-07-26). "Asia: Stronger and stronger; Cambodia's election". [[The Economist]].
5. Madra, Ek. (2003-04-24). "Senior Cambodian judge assassinated". [[The Independent]].
6. Aglionby, John. (2003-07-26). "Cambodia edges towards change". [[The Guardian]].
7. (2003-07-25). "Cambodia Election Guide". [[BBC Online]].
8. Kazmin, Amy. (2003-07-22). "Cambodia's disenchanted young grow restless for a brighter future: Many are fervently hoping for a new government when this Sunday the country goes to its first poll since 1998, Amy Kazmin reports". [[Financial Times]].
9. Aglionby, John. (2003-07-28). "80% turnout for Cambodian vote". [[The Guardian]].
10. Kazmin, Amy. (2003-07-30). "Opposition rejects Hun Sen victory claim CAMBODIAN ELECTIONS:". [[Financial Times]].
11. Kazmin, Amy. (2003-07-31). "Cambodian prime minister rejects calls to step down". [[Financial Times]].
12. (2004-02-21). "Asia: Deadlock; Cambodia;". [[The Economist]].
13. Kazmin, Amy. (2003-09-29). "Cambodian parties boycott parliament over resignation call". [[Financial Times]].
14. Kazmin, Amy. (2004-06-28). "Coalition deal in Cambodia ends 11-month post-election standoff". [[Financial Times]].
15. (2004-07-15). "Cambodian parliament ends deadlock". [[BBC Online]].
16. (2004-07-15). "Cambodian government faces uphill task". [[BBC Online]].