http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/opinion/10000-days-of-hun-sen.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18093818
This weekend is election time in Cambodia. I was informed last night that Hun Sen has decreed that the 3 days (Friday is International Children's day) will be alcohol free to facilitate a 'smooth' democratic process.
The last few weeks have been dominated by the white & blue uniforms of the CPP (Cambodian People Party) - convoys of SUVs, Motos, tractors pulling trailers of people all loyally wearing their CCP caps block the roads. The election propaganda blares out from loud speakers, traffic is brought to a halt & the thin veneer of democracy is translucent.
To have any job within the public sector in Cambodia one must be a paying member of the CPP. A large proportion of the Cambodia population are under 25 years old - the emerging new hope.
Talking with the younger generation of Cambodians I've been asking them who they will be voting for in the up coming elections. They fall into three categories;
1) They will not discuss
2) They will not vote - what is the point, their vote 'doesn't count'
3) They will vote for any party other than CPP in an attempt to practice their democratic right & will encourage friends & family to do the same.
Given the history of this country surprisingly few are category 1), understandably some are 2) but the majority are 3) - one person is having their marriage license withheld by their commune chief unless they vote CPP in there home district but they refuse to be intimidated.
The links above say more than I can say here.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18093818
This weekend is election time in Cambodia. I was informed last night that Hun Sen has decreed that the 3 days (Friday is International Children's day) will be alcohol free to facilitate a 'smooth' democratic process.
The last few weeks have been dominated by the white & blue uniforms of the CPP (Cambodian People Party) - convoys of SUVs, Motos, tractors pulling trailers of people all loyally wearing their CCP caps block the roads. The election propaganda blares out from loud speakers, traffic is brought to a halt & the thin veneer of democracy is translucent.
To have any job within the public sector in Cambodia one must be a paying member of the CPP. A large proportion of the Cambodia population are under 25 years old - the emerging new hope.
Talking with the younger generation of Cambodians I've been asking them who they will be voting for in the up coming elections. They fall into three categories;
1) They will not discuss
2) They will not vote - what is the point, their vote 'doesn't count'
3) They will vote for any party other than CPP in an attempt to practice their democratic right & will encourage friends & family to do the same.
Given the history of this country surprisingly few are category 1), understandably some are 2) but the majority are 3) - one person is having their marriage license withheld by their commune chief unless they vote CPP in there home district but they refuse to be intimidated.
The links above say more than I can say here.
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