Cambodian general election, 2018

Cambodian general election, 2018
Cambodia
22 July 2018
All 123 seats to the National Assembly
62 seats needed for a majority
 
Leader Hun Sen Sam Rainsy
(Barred from running)[1]		 Norodom Ranariddh
Party CPP CNRP FUNCINPEC
Leader since 14 January 1985 17 July 2012 19 January 2015
Leader's seat Kandal N/A N/A
Last election 68 seats, 48.83% 55 seats, 44.46% N/A
Current seats 68 55 0
Seats needed Steady Increase 7 Increase 62
Incumbent Prime Minister

Hun Sen
CPP
Cambodia
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Cambodia
Foreign relations

General elections (Khmer: ការបោះឆ្នោតជ្រើសតាំងតំណាងរាស្ត្រ នីតិកាលទី៦ ឆ្នាំ២០១៨) are due to be held in Cambodia on 22 July 2018 to elect members of the sixth National Assembly. Incumbent Prime Minister Hun Sen is eligible to seek a fifth term in office.

Background

The previous election saw the fourth consecutive victory of the Cambodian People's Party, gaining 68 seats of the National Assembly and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party occupying the rest of the 55 seats. Despite their huge gain in seats, the opposition denied the results and accused the ruling party of poll fraud. As a result, the CNRP boycotted parliament in September 2013 and vows not to enter parliament until a legitimate electoral reform.[2] The disputed election results led to the outbreak of widespread anti-government protests.[3]

On 10 April 2014, prime minister Hun Sen agreed to hold the election five months early in February 2018. The opposition however rejected and wants the election to be held as early as 2015 or mid 2016.[4] On 22 July 2014, the political crisis officially ended and the opposition agreed to accept their seats in parliament. The next election was also agreed to be held in 2018.[5] As of November 2015, Sam Rainsy is barred from contesting the 2018 election, having been stripped from parliamentary immunity, and barred from returning to Cambodia.[6] His request for a royal pardon was blocked by Prime Minister Hun Sen.[7]

On 25 May 2016, Hun Sen announced the election would be held on 22 July 2018.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Rainsy stripped of lawmaker status". The Phnom Penh Post. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  2. ↑ Heng Reaksmey and Men Kimseng (7 March 2014). "Opposition Standing Firm on Election Reform Demand". Voice of America. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  3. ↑ Dara, Mech (23 December 2013). "CNRP Holds Biggest Demonstration in Decades". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "Hun Sen Agrees to Hold Early Election, Wants Deal Signed Before King". Radio Free Asia. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "Political deadlock broken". The Phnom Penh Post. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  6. ↑ "Rainsy Pledges to Return Home Before 2018 National Election". The Cambodia Daily. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  7. ↑ "Hun Sen Rejects CNRP Request for Pardons". The Cambodia Daily. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  8. ↑ "Cambodia PM Sets 2018 Election Date". voanews.com. Voice of America (VOA). 25 May 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/24/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.