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Voting Begins in Cambodia's Highly Contentious Election

by David Boyle

   PHNOM PENH --

   Cambodians have begun voting in the country's sixth election since the
   fall of the Khmer Rouge, a contest that has continued to be marred by
   serious irregularities right into its final moments.

   There is little doubt that the country's ruling Cambodian People's
   Party will win the ballot in a landslide following the dissolution of
   the only viable opponent, the Cambodian National Rescue Party late last
   year.

   But the shadow the CNRP's dissolution has cast over the credibility of
   the election was magnified even further this weekend when the
   government suddenly blocked the websites of more than a dozen critical
   news outlets.

   Shortly after polls opened Sunday, Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has
   ruled for 33 years, arrived at his local station on the outskirts of
   Phnom Penh with his wife Bun Rany to cast a vote that many rights
   groups and observers say signals the death knell for democracy in
   Cambodia.

   "They don't allow us to say anything today, we must follow the law,"
   Hun Sen told reporters before quickly leaving in a van.

   Under Cambodia's election law a 48 hour freeze is placed on campaigning
   on the day before and day of the election.

   The government used this provision as a justification for blocking 15
   news websites including the Voice of America's Khmer service over the
   weekend while allowing pro-government outlets to continue reporting
   online unimpeded.

   Outside the polling station National Election Committee spokesman Dim
   Sovannarom defended the selective blocking of online news websites.

   "NEC has the right, has the law, article 42, to do everything to, to do
   every means to ensure the free and fair election," he said, without
   specifically addressing why only certain news websites had been
   targeted.

   In the absence of the CNRP, which was dissolved in November by the
   Supreme Court on accusations it had plotted with the United States to
   overthrow the government, the focus of the election has largely shifted
   from the result to the turnout.

   The CNRP's leaders have launched a "clean finger" boycott campaign that
   the government claims amounts to obstruction of voters, though voting
   is not compulsory in Cambodia.

   So Saonara, a 36-year-old resident of Phnom Penh's Sen Sok district,
   said the turnout looked significantly down from last year's commune
   elections.

   "It looks like it is going fast. Last year you had to stand in a long
   queue," he said.

   In its battle to legitimize the widely derided election the CPP has
   pursued those calling for a boycott with criminal charges.

   It has also brought in more than 539 election observers, largely from
   outright autocracies or highly precarious democracies, following the
   withdrawal of the United States, the EU, Japan, Australia and others.

   Lebanese observer Youssef Awad, who is part of a delegation from the
   International Conference of Asian Political Parties, declined to tell
   reporters yesterday who had paid for him to perform his duties during
   the election.

   "I mean let's be honest about this. How do you know, this political
   party, where do they get their money from? Nobody knows. But what's
   important is the men in power are doing a clean job and they're serving
   their people."

   Pressed about who had financed the observation mission, Awad asked "are
   you from the IRS?"

   "That's an irrelevant question, you have to ask about the elections and
   not ask, how did I pay for my ticket. This is none of your business.
   Maybe I pay my own. Why, why you ask me this question?" he said.

   Another observer, Nepalese Parliamentarian Arjun Thapa, said he had
   never spoken to anyone from the CNRP though he had received a
   resounding vote of confidence in the electoral process from some of the
   19 minor parties participating.

   "A developing country like Cambodia or Nepal or third world country,
   some way or other, the political outfit who is not in the mainstream
   political party, they keep on unnecessarily disturbing the election
   process," he said.

   CNRP vice president Mu Sochua said it was clear to people both within
   and outside Cambodia that the election was a sham.

   "To vote or not to vote. Intimidation, threats, cajoling, vote buying,
   promises of all forms and shapes by CPP to justify their legitimacy
   have been intense and it will continue till the polls close today at 3
   p.m.," she said in an email.