The Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), led by long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen, claimed an overwhelming victory in the general election on Sunday. The election, however, was widely criticized as a one-sided sham, as the CPP ran virtually unopposed, and opposition parties were banned, leaving no real contenders.
Sok Eysan, the spokesperson for CPP, stated, “We’ve won in a landslide…but we can’t calculate the number of seats yet,” implying the party’s expected dominance in the Lower House with all 125 seats likely to be retained.
Hun Sen, who has been in power since 1985 and faced little opposition, has suppressed freedom of expression and forced challengers to flee, solidifying his grip on the nation. This victory is seen as a way to further extend his rule, raising concerns about a potential dynastic succession similar to North Korean politics, as he paves the way for his son’s involvement in politics.
The run-up to the polls saw the disqualification of the only serious opposition party on a technicality, leaving 17 small, poorly funded parties as the only remaining contenders. Given these circumstances, it is not surprising that CPP’s victory seems assured.
Cambodia’s history of conflict, including the devastating era of the genocidal Khmer Rouge, has hindered hopes for a vibrant multiparty democracy, as Hun Sen’s rule has remained unyielding over the last three decades, despite international aspirations for change.
