Local Elections: Gains for the Opposition
Political opposition to the Hun Sen regime in Cambodia registered significant gains in provincial, municipal, and district council elections on May 18. Official results are not due until the end of the month but opposition leader Sam Rainsy claimed a "great success." Photo: Vohar Cheath/RFA Khmer
In the indirect election process, 11,000 commune councilors went to the polls. Here electors stand in line at a Siem Reap’s polling station.
Electors show their inked index fingers, proof that they have voted already. Sam Rainsy accused Hun Sen's party, the Cambodian People's Party, of bribery, saying it had spent up to U.S. $5,000 each to get some Cambodia National Rescue Party councilors to vote for the CPP.
The CNRP won a majority in two districts—one located in the southeastern province of Prey Veng and the other in the central province of Kampong Cham. Above: An election station in Prey Veng province.
According to preliminary results, the CNRP captured about 23 percent of the seats up for grabs, a figure that represents significant gains from their previous position. Above: An election official count ballots in Prey Veng province.
The CPP won a total of 2,543 seats out of a total exceeding 3,000. Above: Election officials work by a ballot box.
Vote counting in one of Phnom Penh’s polling stations. The National Election Committee said the elections were conducted peacefully and without any major incidents.
An election official displays a ballot before voting in Phnom Penh.
An election official tallies votes in Phnom Penh. Official results will be announced by the NEC on May 30.
