PHNOM PENH, 01 Aug (FN) , It surprises the world and Cambodia that CPP has won the race in 2018 Parliamentary Election by a huge margin and may take all the 125 seats in the National Assembly. According to the National Election Committee`s official report, among the 20 contesting parties, CPP gets 4,875,189 votes, about 76.78%, out of the total 6,349,389 valid votes. In 2013 election, CPP got 3,235,969 votes (48.83%) and in 2017 Commune-Sangkat Elections, CPP earned 3,540,056 votes (50.76%). This shows the uprising trend in support for CPP. In 5 years from 2013 to 2018, the numbers of CPP votes has increased by 1,639,220 votes. Where are those votes from?

1. Those who had voted for other parties to send a warning message to CPP in 2013 have voted for CPP again. A part from their supporters, CPP also earns support from those who had casted their votes for the former CNRP and other parties in 2013 as a warning message to CPP. Their decision was probably made after they witnessed the former CNRP who they had confidence and belief in 2013 “did nothing but lied, cheated, incited, angered and provoked the racial sentiment.” They had believed in the former CNRP`s political propaganda and hoped the party would keep their promise, but instead the party was the one who destroyed their livelihood through their inciting and call for foreigners not to aid, invest and purchase goods from Cambodia, as well as to appeal for political and economic sanctions against Cambodia. This was more like “destroying their own business.” Those who had casted their votes for the former CNRP was also disappointed since they had wished to vote for peace but after the 2013 election, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha had implemented “color” revolution, provoking unrest, leading Cambodia “on the brink of a new war,” destroying their livelihood and making them feel unsafe physically and mentally through their continuous threats. Cambodian people had chosen to vote for those who would serve them, but the opposition paid them back by destroying peace and people. Now, they see clearly who the real patriot and “doer” are. That`s why they have confidence on and decided to support and vote again for CPP, who had saved and savored their lives from the Khmer Rouge and developed the country. Even LDP leader Khem Veasna accepts that the former CNRP`s supporters have turned out to vote for CPP. Straightforward talking, Cambodian people are not living with the former CNRP`s “corpse.”

2. There is an increased confidence on CPP from the non-extremist voters. One reason CPP has a landslide win in the 2018 election is that Cambodian people become more confidence on the CPP-led government. In the last 5 years during the 5th Mandate, the government has led a deep all-sector reform. Cambodia maintains an annual GDP growth of 7%, a regular increase in salary for the government`s civil servants, armed forces and garment workers, a better and improved living standard and national stability. There are many achievements that contribute to the development of all sectors. These help boost the people`s confidence on the government`s leadership. Beside the loyal supporters, the increase in CPP votes is also contributed partly by the support from the non-extremist voters (i.e. students, civil servants, businesspersons, garment workers, investors, etc.) who witness the government`s efforts to develop, pay attention to their people`s living and salary, as well as their social welfare and other advantages.

3. More young generation voters have confidence in CPP. Almost 70% of Cambodians are people who were born after the collapse of the Khmer Rouge regime, and they are Cambodia`s strong human resources. They live in peace and harmony under the leadership of the CPP-led government, whose leaders received strong confidence and enact good policy to construct and develop the nation. One reason a large number of those young generation voters choose to support CPP is because they see that only CPP could maintain peace, stability and development of the country. Choosing incorrect choice may mean the return of war, which casts doubt on their future. That`s why they have to join hands with CPP to maintain the country`s peace and development and to bar any attempts to bring “color” revolution which may lead the country into another war. Those young voters have learned about Cambodia`s history and have participated in the protection of the country from foreign interference and in the confrontation with the opposition which allows foreigners to look down on our national integrity and sovereignty. Like all other citizen, the young generation does not like the war, so Sam Rainsy`s appeal for rebellion against the government and election boycott is meaningless and cannot attract them.

CPP-led government has brought and maintained peace in Cambodia and stopped the opposition`s “color” revolution, bringing continuous development. This leads to full support from their supporters and other parties` supporters. All in all, approximately 82% of the voters in the voter lists have participated in the democracy process in Cambodia. Among them, there are millions of people have joint hands with CPP to stop the threats planned by the exile opposition and their foreign bosses, aiming to destroy peace and development at any cost. All brothers and sisters believe that only CPP could ensure real harmony and development to the nation and people. That`s why CPP has an increased number of votes of around 1.6 million in 5 years.

By Chao Chaksmok
Political Analyst