The Free World has recognized that recent Cambodia election has fallen short of meeting key international standards. It is morally imperative that the Free World take the times to listen and disect the overall flaws of the election process as a whole. There is so much at stake which is far beyond a simple statement of recognition or polite gesture due to low number of political violence or assassination in comparison to previous elections. That is not a valid argument for those mass disenfranchised electorates all over the country.
Those countries that are signatories to the Paris Peace Accord 1991, especially the leading democratic nations must now step in to ensure that this past July election is legitimate, fair and free of flaws, and that democracy in Cambodia will survive toward the future for all its original intents and purposes. Furthermore, it is critically essential that they help resolve this election dispute in a timely and fairly manner for the sake of all Cambodians - for long term social and economic development, for a long lasting political peace and stability of the country. It must take a pro-active role in dealing with this rigged election result. Failure to recognize the significant of this election flaw will lead to practically the end of democracy in Cambodia.
On election day, a vast majority of Cambodians, mostly and likely opposition supporters, found out that their names were not on the voting list. As a result, they were not able to vote. There was a question into the sytematic coordination of illegal issuance in large quantity of Identity Form 1018 by commune leaders across the country which enabled minors and illegal settlers to vote. There were substantial evidences collected to that affect presented by the main opposition parties - a form pre-filled, with the same photo of a person, but with different names, fake thumbprints, backdated and false addresses. Then there was question with respect to the NEC's independancy, its handling of voter registration lists and its refusal to take responsibility in allowing the elaborated scheme of issueing out Form1018. How the NEC came to a decision in eliminating legitimate voters from their lists - in large number, has gone unanswered. The NEC could not explain the delisting reason, and for the illegal Form1018 it was not their department to issue such form, but the NEC allowed and accepted it anyway, the inflating ballots. The NEC refused to take measure to correct the flaws as evidently backed by supporting documents, including testemonies on the grounds.
There had been recent attempt on the lives of people who tried to collect evidences and a few of them have now gone into hiding for fear of their own safety. It tells a lot about democracy in Cambodia, especially when you are not on the side of the ruling party. It has always been a pattern and the Free World need to recognize and appreciate the enormous risks and sacrifices Cambodian democrats have been willing to take in trying to ensure that democracy surive.
The head of the NEC should be called into questione and perhaps charged for willingly deleting mass legitimate voters. There should be an inquiry into the way the NEC handling the election, especially in manipulation of voter registrations. Most on the top, if not all people at the NEC should be replaced, the organization itself need a complete revamp to ensure full independence from this day forward. The institution itself need to be free from any one-sided political pressure so any future election can be seen as reasonably fair. Those commune leaders who had issued the illegal Form 1018 on election day must be prosecuted and serve time for their crime. This would send a very clear signal to any commune leader out there as it will discourage them from participating in such illegal activities in future elections, if any. Article 49 of the constitution under the "Forgery of Public Document" is the law of the land. No officials, elected or appointed wise should be immune from their criminal acts.
Election Observers should have a proper understanding of Cambodian fragile democracy, its historical proportion, political and cultural context where fear, bribery, intimidation and political assassination are highly still the norms. The Free World can choose to disregard all the relevant facts and concerns as outlined above. But it must recognizes that Cambodian democracy worth saving at the end for the sake of all Cambodian people, not just the ruling ones. It would be a colossal mistake to not intervene right now in resolving this election matter. It is for the sake of all Cambodian, the country and in the interests of the world, long term.
However, Cambodia democracy has never been at such a precarious state like it is now. Should the Free World remains inactive in its willing to interfer, then without any reservation or doubt Democracy in Cambodia is officially ended. As such, we can all agree with one thing, that the term dictatorship has finally found its proper place in a new acceptable meaning in the eyes of the Free World: Democracy Cambodian Style - ONE MAN AND ONE PARTY RULE WITH NO INDEPENDENT INSTITUTIONS THAT PROVIDE CHECK AND BALANCE. THIS IS THE CASE OF CAMBODIAN DEMOCRACY TODAY. SO FAR IT IS ACCEPTABLE IN THE EYES OF THE FREE WORLD, AS IT SEEMS. PLEASE PROVE ME WRONG.
The Free World has a moral obligation to see that Cambodian democracy survive. Otherwise, it would be a tragic end to all hopes. With so many lives have been lost, i.e grenade attack 1997, some activists have recently gone into hiding for the sake of democratic cause, not to mention billions of dollars have already been spent, at least the Democratic world should step in to help save our young and yet closer to dying democracy.
