Sar Kheng urges civic awareness
THE general election this coming July will mark another milestone in the advancement of Cambodia’s multi-party liberal democracy and its security, peace and stability, while also stimulating Cambodia’s economic growth, said Minister of Interior Sar Kheng.
Sar Kheng made the remarks as he met with architects, engineers and foremen at the ministry’s headquarters in Phnom Penh on December 30.
“We are in the process of preparing for the 7th parliamentary election, which is for the 2023-2028 mandate. It will also mark an important national political event which will continue to strengthen our multi-party liberal democracy in Cambodia, which is the foundation for national unity and reconciliation as well as the promotion of the people’s rights and freedoms to elect a leader,” he said.
Sar Kheng said the election will also further strengthen peace, stability and socio-economic development. This, he added, is the duty and the obligation that are to be fulfilled by all leaders, all political parties and all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation.
He called on all citizens to exercise their right to vote, though no one is legally obligated to do so as the Constitution recognised the right of people to abstain from participating.
“I mean that we have the right to go vote, but we also have the right to not go and vote either. We have no law requiring it.
“The vast majority of our citizens voted in the last election just like in the previous elections and the turnout did not fall to 60 or 70 per cent like in some countries – the turnout remained at 80 or 90 per cent,” he said.
While addressing a groundbreaking ceremony for a bridge across the Mekong River in Kratie province on January 2, Prime Minister Hun Sen also spoke about the upcoming election, calling on people to support the ruling party.
“For the July 23 election, the residents of Kratie province will continue to vote for the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) because of the peace and development we have brought that has provided more possibilities to us all, but those achievements do not belong to the CPP alone, especially that of running the country with peace and political stability,” he said.