ASEAN Sec-Gen Hails Smooth Running Of Election In Cambodia

JAKARTA, July 24 (Bernama) -- ASEAN secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn has offered his congratulations to Cambodian election officials for the smooth election day on Sunday.

At the invitation of Minister Attached to the Cambodia Prime Minister Ouch Borith, Kao participated in the observation mission of the election organised by the National Election Committee (NEC).

“We’re very grateful for the opportunity to observe the ongoing democratic journey of modern-day Cambodia,” he said, adding that voting was generally peaceful, orderly, and with no violence.

In a statement today, he also congratulated NEC for its professionalism and competency, as well as the people of Cambodia, for their active and willing participation in the multi-party election.

The ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) is among the 65 countries and international organisations invited by Cambodia to monitor the general election this year, with the aim of ensuring the election's transparency.

During the mission, ASEC staff were in attendance as Kao observed the electoral process, including campaigning, the opening and closing of the polls, and voting.

On July 21, the last day of the election campaigns, the team observed campaigns by various political parties in the districts of Chamkar Morn, Meanchey, and Sen Sok.

On election day (July 23), the team observed the opening of the polls, casting of ballots, and ballot counting in selected polling stations in Phnom Penh and Kandal province.

Cambodia has been holding elections regularly since 1993, under its national election laws.

Meanwhile, NEC reported 9.7 million registered voters for this election and – according to its preliminary results – voter turnout was high, amounting to 84.58 per cent across 23,789 polling stations.

A total of 18 eligible political parties contested 125 seats in the National Assembly, the lower house of the Cambodian Parliament.

-- BERNAMA