Press Release

U.S. Embassy Statement on Cambodia's Communal Election

The United States Embassy welcomes the National Election Committee's announcement of results for the April 1 Commune Council elections, for which the U.S. Government provided over $400,000 in support for such activities as political party poll-monitor training, candidate debates, Women’s Leadership Forums, and organizational support for international and domestic election monitoring organizations.

The NEC’s administration of election day went smoothly.  The Embassy applauds improvements to the electoral process compared to the 2002 and 2003 elections, particularly with respect to less intimidation and violence and fewer administrative difficulties.  Election day across the country was notably peaceful and calm, and the presence of party agents and observers from Cambodian civil society helped to create a positive atmosphere.  The lower voter turnout on April 1, however, is cause for concern, and the Embassy urges the NEC to review the reasons for lowered participation, streamline and simplify the voter registration process and remove any technical barriers that are identified.   Reports of continued problems with voter lists are worrisome, and warrant NEC review and recommendations for resolving this long-standing issue.  Embassy monitors noted that many local authorities did not observe the perimeter restrictions outlined in the election law, and their presence at many polling stations throughout the day, as well as during the vote count, did not promote a fully free environment.

Regarding the overall electoral process, the Embassy warmly welcomes the improvements over the last several elections, while noting that there remain areas for additional improvement.  We encourage the Cambodian government to implement corrective measures in advance of the 2008 national elections in such areas as unequal access to the media by all the political parties, non-transparent campaign finance issues, as well as the lack of a neutral appeals process to hear election-related complaints.  The Embassy further notes that the absence of any Cambodian political leader from the country detracts from the democratic process.  The upcoming national elections in July 2008 offer Cambodia the opportunity to highlight the laudable progress the country has made in the transition from a post-conflict state to a transitional democratic nation over the period of just 15 years.  The Embassy urges the Cambodian government, the NEC, all political parties, and Cambodian civil society to work together to strengthen the electoral process in the coming year.

The Embassy hopes that through the new Commune Councils, the Cambodian government’s decentralization process will continue to promote grassroots democracy and empowerment of local citizens.  Toward this end, the Embassy through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will commence to work directly with 200 newly elected Commune Councils in eight Provinces under our $14.4 million Local Administration and Reform (LAAR) program.  LAAR provides direct support to Commune Councilors to utilize participatory processes to engage the citizens within their commune to transparently develop projects that will improve commune services and the quality of life of the Cambodian people.

Released April 25, 2007