As the 7th National Election neared, Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen this morning called on his fellow citizens to remain calm and maintain a neutral political atmosphere.

While presiding over the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway in Kean Svay district, Kandal province, Samdech Techo Hun Sen said the upcoming election must be held in a free, fair and non-violent manner.

“The election is approaching, let’s keep calm, maintain a neutral political atmosphere, and guarantee security and order. The election process must be peaceful, non-violent, democratic and respect the people’s right to choose,” he underlined.

“I hope that our eligible voters will go to the polls on July 23, 2023,” the Premier added.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen said the National Election Committee (NEC) had already made a clear stance as it warned of taking necessary legal action against illegal propaganda that deceive people not to cast their votes.

In its press release issued on June 6, NEC stressed that such deed is a violation of the election law. Based on the article 142 of the law, it explained, the act can end up with between 5,000,000 Riel and 20,000,000 Riel (roughly US$1,250 to US$5,000) penalty and criminal punishment.

NEC hopes and believes that all political parties, their respective candidates, and supporters, will not support the ill-willed practice.

NEC team has worked hard to ensure a fair, transparent and free national election for the 7th legislature to fall on July 23 this year, and called on eligible voters to go to vote.

Eighteen political parties have been endorsed by NEC to join the political race. They are the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, Cambodian Youth Party, Khmer United National Party, Dharmacracy Party, Democracy Power Party, Cambodian Nationality Party, Khmer United Party, Khmer Conservative Party, FUNCINPEC Party, Beehive Social Democratic Party, People Purpose Party, Ekpheap Cheat Khmer Party, Women’s Party for Women, Khmer Anti-Poverty Party, Khmer Economic Development Party, Cambodia Indigenous People’s Democracy Party, Grassroots Democratic Party, and Khmer Farmers Party.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse