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Election Date: July 27, 2008

At stake: National Assembly

Background

The history of Cambodia, a French protectorate that became independent in 1954, changed forever with the emergence of the Khmer Rouge guerrilla. An estimated 1.7 million people died under the brutal hand of Pol Pot after the communist armed group took control of the country in 1975. Many Cambodians were deemed "enemies of the state" and executed, while others perished from starvation.

The Khmer Rouge regime left Cambodia as one of the poorest countries in the world. In 2003, despite boasting vast forests, illegal logging resulted in severe environmental damage. Another problem was the sex trade, as 100 new cases of HIV infection were reported every day.

Prime minister Hun Sen has held power since 1985, through a series of coalitions between his Cambodian People’s Party (CPC) and other political forces. Hun Sen has been accused repeatedly of being a top officer with the Khmer Rouge. The prime minister has claimed that he was only a soldier.

Hun Sen oversaw years of political turmoil and violence. In 1991, as a civil war was raging in the country, leaders from all factions and representatives from 17 countries gathered in France to sign a peace agreement and re-establish the liberal democratic rule. The United Nations (UN) Transitional Authority in Cambodia was established to ensure the implementation of several agreements and deployed approximately 20,000 peacekeepers costing$1.6 billion US to keep the peace and organize a national election.

Hun Sen overthrew Prince Norodom Ranariddh, leader of the royalist United National Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful and Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC) party, in a bloody coup in 1997.

Pol Pot died in 1998. The CPP won a legislative election that year. Efforts to prosecute members of the Khmer Rouge continue to this day. An agreement between the government of Cambodia and the UN was reached in June 2003. Among those who were expected to stand trial were Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, who ran the notorious Tuol Sleng prison, and Ta Mok, alias The Butcher, who died in 2006 before his trial took place.

In the 2003 legislative election—which was marred by violence—the CPC garnered 2.45 million votes. The opposition Sam Rainsy Party (PSR) was second, slightly ahead of FUNCINPEC.

The CPC secured 69 seats, short of the two-thirds majority required to form a government under Cambodian law. After weeks of uncertainty, the three major political organizations agreed to participate in the new administration on Nov. 5. The actual formation of the new government was delayed several times.

Click Here for Cambodia’s 2003 Legislative Election Tracker

Life expectancy in Cambodia is 69.7 years, and literacy is calculated at 73.6 per cent. Tourism is now a major source of income for the country. For the first 10 months of 2007, Cambodia recorded 1.6 million foreign visitors.

In October 2004, King Norodom Sihanouk announced his abdication to the throne and selected his son, Prince Norodom Sihamoni, to succeed him. Prince Sihamoni, a ballet dancer and choreographer, lived in France and was practically inactive in Cambodian politics.

In February 2005, opposition leader Sam Rainsy was stripped of parliamentary immunity, and fled to France. In December, Rainsy was convicted in absentia of defaming prime minister Hun Sen, but he later received a royal pardon.

Prosecutors with the special Khmer Rouge tribunal made their first indictment in July 2007, charging Kaing Guek Eav with crimes against humanity. In September 2007, Nuon Chea, formerly second-in-command to Pol Pot, was arrested and charged with war crimes.

2008 National Assembly Election

The royalist United National Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful and Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC) has appointed Princess Norodom Arunrasmy as its candidate for prime minister in the upcoming election. Hun Sen of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPC) will seek a new term in office. Other parties include the Prince Norodom Ranariddh party (NRP), the Human Right Party, and the Sangkum Jatiniyum Front, self-described as a "liberal, democratic and nationalist" party.

On Nov. 21, Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, appeared in court in Cambodia in the first public session of the UN.-backed tribunal probing the Khmer Rouge.

On Nov. 27, Hun Sen said prime ministerial candidates to should hold Khmer nationality only, and called for candidates with double nationality to abstain from participating in the ballot. Ministers, he said, could hold double nationalities.

Khem Sokha, president of the Human Right Party, said candidates to become prime minister could have one or two nationalities, but his or her parents should have Khmer nationality, saying, "I agreed with Hun Sen’s remark but Cambodia had civil war in the 1970s and people ran away from here. They had two nationalities when they came back. So the important thing for the PM candidate is the determination in ruling with safety and economic development."

Muth Chantha, spokesman for Prince Norodom Ranariddh party (NRP), said Hun Sen’s proposal is a political issue and not a principle enshrined in the Cambodian Constitution. Rainsy and Prince Norodom both hold French and Cambodian nationalities.

On Dec. 12, Cambodia’s royal family urged Prince Norodom—now leader of the Norodom NRP—to quit politics, arguing that his new party is not worthy of his qualifications because it is not popular enough.

Political Players

King: Norodom Sihanouk
Prime minister: Hun Sen - KPK

Legislative Branch: The Radhsphea ney Preah Recheanachakr Kampuchea (National Assembly of Cambodia) has 123 members, elected to five-year terms by proportional representation. The Senat (Senate) has 61 members, appointed by the King on recommendation of the parties in the National Assembly.

Results of Last Election:

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