Cambodia’s July 23 general election proceeded without a hitch, with preliminary results indicating an impressive turnout of 84.58 per cent, equivalent to 8,213,260 of the 9,710,655 eligible voters across the nation.

This significant figure was announced by Prime Minister Hun Sen, referencing the National Election Committee (NEC).

Amid an ongoing campaign by what the premier dubbed an overseas-based opposition group led by Sam Rainsy to derail the election, this event in Cambodian history held firm.

In an audio address to the nation after the election drew to a close, Hun Sen emphasised that the voter turnout surpassed the 80.22 per cent recorded at the 2022 commune council elections, which at the time were also contested by the opposition Candlelight Party (CP). The CP was disqualified from the 2023 general election for non-compliance with the NEC’s regulations

This considerable voter participation signals a victory over the opposition’s attempts to persuade the population to either boycott the election or spoil their ballots, particularly due to the exclusion of the CP, he said.

In his audio address, delivered an hour after the closing of the polls, Hun Sen said: “The figure indicates that our citizens have actively participated in Cambodia’s democratic process. They are keen to preserve the peace and contentment we are experiencing and want to distance themselves from radical groups.”

While the election results are eagerly anticipated, the premier also raised a point regarding ballot papers with intentional errors, a tactic promoted by the opposition.

“We need to see how many ballot papers have been defaced. The extremist leader claims these papers as their own. It will be enlightening to discover the number of such papers.

"However, these must not be confused with void papers, which generally make up around two per cent,” he said.

In his message, Hun Sen also disclosed the existence of a Telegram group called “Sabay”, designed to distribute spoiled election papers to their leaders who reside in the French capital Paris, in an apparent reference to Rainsy and his associates.

“Those who have shared spoiled ballot papers, we are aware of you. Nonetheless, I urge you not to live in fear. You have the opportunity to admit your mistakes to the authorities or NEC.

“Despite your actions being unlawful, if you recognise your error, it is in your best interest to come forward promptly, or legal proceedings will commence,” he said, urging them to confront their wrongdoings instead of fleeing the country.

“We’re awaiting the count of defaced papers from the 8,213,260 logged across the nation, which equates to 84.21 per cent of all eligible voters,” he added.

Hun Sen expressed his gratitude to all the voters who took part.

“Your participation has thwarted the extremist groups who aimed to undermine democracy in Cambodia. To all radicals: Understand the political maturity of Cambodian people. Our citizens’ strength will not allow you to damage our country,” he proclaimed.

Overseen by 89,562 local observers from 134 NGOs and associations, 586 international observers from 52 institutions and attended by 18 special guests from 10 institutions, the election went ahead. Extensive coverage was provided by 1,289 media professionals from 127 entities, including 137 foreign journalists from 38 organisations.

NEC spokesman Som Sorida shared with reporters that all 23,789 polling stations opened without incident from 7am till 7pm, after the polls closed.

He confirmed that the election was conducted peacefully, safely and orderly with no incidents of violence or threats.

“The election went smoothly with a high turnout. The exact turnout figures will be confirmed later. The turnout of over 80 per cent is very high, comparable to the commune council elections in 2022,” said Sorida.

Hun Sen and his wife Bun Rany cast their votes at a polling station in Kandal province’s Takhmao town, just outsides the capital, all under the eye of the media and both local and international observers.

Elsewhere, Minister of Interior Sar Kheng voted in Battambang province, where he stood as a lawmaker candidate.

Sar Kheng affirmed that the election ran smoothly in the northwestern province.

“The general situation is good and I believe that there is no harm done to our election. Thus, we can regard this election result as consistent with the principle of multiparty democracy,” he said.

There were instances of voters following the call of Rainsy to ruin the election by defacing the ballot papers.

Kim Santepheap, a spokesman for the Ministry of Justice, said in a July 23 social media post that authorities were investigating individuals who spoiled and distributed defaced ballot papers.

He announced that legal action would be taken without exception.

The ruling Cambodian People’s Party’s (CPP) legal team, led by government lawyer Ky Tech, was instructed to investigate any cases of individuals trying to sabotage the election.

“They have to gather all evidence to prove that any individual had defaced ballot papers or promoted this illegal act to build a case for legal action, without exception,” Tech emphasised.

Amid allegations of individuals sabotaging ballots, CP vice-president Rong Chhun said he had not received such information, claiming that he and his supporters had cast their votes to fulfil their constitutional duty despite the party’s disqualification.

Voter Lay Srey Chan cast her vote at a secondary school in the capital’s Chbar Ampov district, expressing satisfaction with the organisation of the polling station.

“When I arrived, election officials guided me to the correct room. As a citizen, I always participate in the election to elect our country’s leaders. But I cannot share with you which party I voted for,” she said with a smile.

FUNCINPEC Party spokesman Nhoeun Raden commended the high number of election monitors, both local and international, ensuring a “fair and transparent” election.

“During a meeting with the Centrist Democrat International [CDI] and Delegation of the Centrist Asia Pacific Democrat International [CAPDI], FUNCINPEC president Prince Norodom Chakravuth asked the observers to carefully observe and fairly report on the election,” Raden relayed.

The Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau, Nuno Gomes Nabiam, who was in Cambodia for a working visit from July 21-24, also observed the election. He remarked on the democratic nature of the elections, drawing parallels with his own country.

On the last day of the election campaign, Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian praised the “smooth and free election, indicative of a peaceful, transparent and fair election that truly represented the will of the Cambodian people”.

According to the NEC, results will be officially announced between August 9 and September 4, including the number of parliamentary seats won by each party.

Additional reporting by Ry Sochan