Independent International Observers: Cambodian Local Election Conducted According to International Rules 

Mr. Hubert Moise Hai HADDAD on behalf of the independent international observers who joined the Sunday’s election observation has affirmed that the election was conducted in a completely fair manner and according to international rules.  

The following is his full statement issued at a press conference by international observers here this morning: 

“First of all, thank you to the Cambodians for the welcome we received, in a calm and transparent climate surrounded by liberalism. The first impression is that this country seems to have real political stability. We understood this well by seeing how the pandemic was managed, and which allowed, among other things, the return of tourists and the opening of borders as well as the possibility for Cambodians from all over the world to return to the country and to vote.

The organisation of these elections was conducted quite normally and I personally took part in several elections and in the counting of the results. What I saw in Cambodia has nothing to envy to what I saw in France.

These elections, where 17 political parties were represented, seem to me to have allowed almost all opinions to be expressed. I really liked the fact that each voter had been registered by computer, which gave electoral lists in each office (and I checked about twenty of them). On all the lists, we could see that there was the identity photo of each voter so no possible error.

The control of the vote is done from the entrance by three different people, the vote ends with a finger dipped in indelible ink, which avoids any double vote.

The ballot boxes donated by the Japanese government were securely closed and sealed. I then attended the counting of two polling stations and I was able to see that everything was done with rigor and seriousness.

I would like on my behalf and on behalf of my entire team to congratulate the organisers without forgetting our guides and the interlocutors of the National Election Committee who allowed us to go where we wanted and without any restriction.

I conclude by certifying that this election was conducted in a completely fair manner and according to international rules. I congratulate all those who have enabled the success of this election, a double congratulation especially after the hard times that the country has gone through.

Hubert Moise Hai HADDAD”

Cambodia yesterday organised the 5th-mandate Commune/Sangkat Council Election with the participation of 17 political parties, under the observation of 88,050 political agents, and 74,885 local observers and 110 international observers from various organisations. Besides, there were 775 local journalists and 39 foreign journalists registered to cover this local election.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press