Speeches
Remarks by Deputy Chief of Mission Theodore Allegra at the National Democratic Institute-Organized Electoral Reform Workshop
Sunway Hotel
August 11, 2009
It is a pleasure to be here today at this important workshop. Credible and fair elections are essential to Cambodia’s continuing development and security.
As Cambodia’s young democracy matures and strengthens, the government and civil society must continually evaluate the country’s electoral process. Workshops like these can tell us where Cambodia’s electoral institutions are strong, and where they need improving.
Recognizing the need for electoral reform is not, as some might say, a sign of weakness. Rather, the desire to self-examine and improve is a trait shared by all democracies, including those with long histories like the United States.
Although Cambodia’s democracy is young, it has made much progress since the first national election in 1993.
Last year’s National Assembly election was the freest yet held in Cambodia. It was largely peaceful, and voting was more efficient and systematic than in past elections.
Despite this progress, there is still much work to be done. Citizens continue to face obstacles in exercising their right to vote.
The Expert Committee for Electoral Reform recently consulted with 150 stakeholders from the government and civil society on the state of the electoral system. These stakeholders were in near total agreement about the system’s weaknesses and recommendations for improvement.
I’m pleased that representatives from government and civil society are gathered here today to look at the results of these consultations.
No democracy is perfect, but those that acknowledge and openly discuss their weaknesses, like you are doing here today, are best prepared to meet the needs of their citizens.
Thank you to the organizers of this important event, and to the participants for coming here today. I wish you fruitful and productive discussions.
