World

Cambodia Passes New Legislation Prohibiting Non-Voters From Running For Office

Cambodia’s parliament enacted a new law on Friday that prohibits anyone who does not vote in the forthcoming national poll from running for office in future elections, including exiled competitors.

The kingdom will hold a general election next month with Prime Minister Hun Sen’s party running practically unopposed after the main opposition party was prevented from standing on a technicality.

Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades, is accused by rights groups of manipulating the judicial system to suppress any opposition to his power.

On Friday, Parliament voted overwhelmingly to pass the law, with each seat held by a member of Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party.

Interior Minister Sar Kheng said, “Anyone who does not vote without an appropriate reason… will lose the right to run for office in four consecutive elections”.

He did not go into detail about what constituted an ‘appropriate reason’.

Candidates would be barred from running in senate elections in 2024, municipal elections in 2024, commune elections in 2027, and a general election in 2028 under the law.

The measure will have a significant impact on the numerous major opposition figures who have fled the country to avoid politically driven sentences.

Cambodia has national elections every five years, and there is no law enabling foreign nationals to vote.

Hun Sen claimed he was forced to adopt the modification in response to opposition activists’ request for an election boycott after the main opposition Candlelight Party was barred from running in the July polls.

The National Election Committee prohibited the party after it failed to submit the necessary paperwork as part of the registration process.

Hun Sen, who is already one of the world’s longest-serving leaders, wants to extend his reign before handing over the power to his son Hun Manet.

During his presidency, dozens of opposition politicians were convicted.

In March, opposition leader Kem Sokha was sentenced to 27 years in prison and placed under house arrest for treason in connection with an alleged plot with foreigners to destabilize Hun Sen’s government.

Sam Rainsy, another opposition figure, has been living in exile in France since 2015 in order to avoid prison for convictions he claims are politically motivated.

Also read: Ukraine Reports 13 Russian Missiles Downed Overnight

Spriha Rai

Recent Posts

‘In Kabul, A Cat Has More Freedom Than A Woman’: Revisiting Women’s Struggles Under The Taliban

The Taliban’s regime has since imposed over 100 laws restricting women's rights, stripping them of…

9 hours ago

PM Modi’s Gifts: A Glimpse Of India’s Cultural Heritage In Global Diplomacy

These gifts to world leaders reflect the diverse traditions, arts, and crafts of India, emphasizing…

12 hours ago

Dr Rajeshwar Singh Calls For Bold Goals To Make India A Global Power By 2047

Dr Singh stressed the importance of reaching a GDP of $15 trillion by 2047 to…

12 hours ago

Gautam Adani Faces Indictment In US: Legal Expert Vijay Aggarwal Dismisses Immediate Repercussions

Criminal lawyer Vijay Aggarwal weighed in on the charges against Adani. He believes the indictment…

12 hours ago

Adani Group Stocks Recover As Sensex nd Nifty Post Gains

After a major sell-off earlier in the week, Adani Group stocks, led by Ambuja Cements…

14 hours ago

Sensex Soars 1,961 Points, Nifty Gains 557 In Broad-Based Market Rally

A sharp rally in financial stocks and encouraging US labor market data fueled the uptrend.…

14 hours ago