CAMBODIA: Tens of thousands join final campaign rallies ahead of Country's general election

Record ID: 346807

  • Title: CAMBODIA: Tens of thousands join final campaign rallies ahead of Country's general election
  • Date: 26th July 2013
  • Summary: PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (JULY 26, 2013) (REUTERS) SUPPORTERS AT OPPOSITION LEADER SAM RAINSY'S RALLY RAINSY SUPPORTERS CHEERING RAINSY WALKING THROUGH CROWD RAINSY SUPPORTERS TAKING PICTURES (SOUNDBITE) (Khmer) OPPOSITION LEADER SAM RAINSY SAYING: "In two days, all Cambodians will decide the fate of Cambodia. All Cambodians will unite to decide to restructure the country in
  • Embargoed: 10th August 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cambodia
  • Country: Cambodia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA37KNSW5EKOMYCY5C2GXIR9ZP7
  • Story Text: Cambodia's political parties hit the streets on Friday (July 26) in a final push for votes in Sunday's (July 28) general election.
    Opposition leader Sam Rainsy had been allowed to return from self-exile after a royal pardon removed the threat of a jail sentence, but the electoral authority had still ruled that he could not run in the election or even vote.
    He is leading the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which is confident of increasing its combined 29 seats in the outgoing parliament.
    "In two days, all Cambodians will decide the fate of Cambodia. All Cambodians will unite to decide to restructure the country in a good and fair way," said Rainsy at his rally.
    Rainsy's supporters say he is capable of bringing change to the country.
    "I believe in Rainsy. He promised to protect our country. And he used to be the Finance Minister so he has experience and I want the price of food to go down," said 22-year old university student Phan Ratana.
    Elsewhere in the capital, an estimated 40,000 people joined a rally for the ruling Cambodia People's Party (CPP), whose frail-looking leader, Chea Sim, appeared briefly but didn't speak.
    Despite Rainsy's return, it is widely expected for Prime Minister Hun Sen to retain power.
    He has been premier for 28 years, bringing stability after civil war and the genocidal late-1970s regime of the Khmer Rouge.
    "If the CPP wins, our first priority is development, security, and protecting the country," said the CPP candidate for Phnom Penh Kep Chuktema.
    CPP supporters say Hun Sen has brought peace and prosperity.
    "I want Prime Minister Hun Sen to be re-elected because when we have him (in power) we have development," said Gnim Sitha.
    While there are no reliable national opinion polls, most political analysts believe the CPP is on course to retain its majority but may lose ground from the 90 seats it currently holds in the 123-seat parliament.
    Preliminary results are expected on election day, but it normally takes up to a month for official results to come out.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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