The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation (CEC) lauded the election process in Cambodia, which it found being open, free, and transparent. It expressed its appreciation for the involvement by Cambodia’s National Election Committee’s (NEC).
A congratulatory letter was written by the head of the CEC, Ella Pamfilova, on Tuesday, August 7, stating that the CEC delegation observed the election and noted the effective and professional organization, and the atmosphere of openness and goodwill towards international observers created by the staff of NEC.
She added that NEC carried out an impartial and unbiased observation of the election, during which no violations that could cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election were found. “Voting was evaluated as open, free and transparent.”
Thus far Australia, the EU, France, and England have expressed their concerns over the election, claiming it was neither free nor fair due to the absence of the CNRP and a crackdown on civil society organisations.
Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry sees that 20 parties competed in the election as a positive reflection on the Kingdom’s democratic process.
The former opposition’s call for a boycott of the election clearly failed, considering the high voter turnout.