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Fund for Reconciliation and Development

Press Release

International Volunteer Observers Positive

on Cambodian Election Process

Field Report Number 5 July 29, 2003

On July 27 and 28, the Fund for Reconciliation and Development deployed 36 International Volunteer Observers (IVOs) to 12 provinces of the Kingdom of Cambodia, including Phnom Penh Municipality, to observe the conduct of the National Assembly Elections and the vote counts that followed. Members of this voluntary team, led by Gordon Longmuir, former Ambassador of Canada to Cambodia, came from the United States, Australia, Switzerland and Indonesia. They were dispersed widely and at random throughout the country, some in very remote areas.

On the basis of their observations of polling stations and communal counting centers, the IVOs found that the elections were carried out in an open and inclusive manner, with painstaking attention to detail to ensure the secrecy of ballots and an accurate vote count. Election officials, both at polling stations and counting centers carried out their duties with evident impartiality, professionalism, zeal and good humor, for which they are to be commended. IVO noted also with approval that a large percentage of polling officials were women.

Some IVOs reported isolated incidences of possible intimidation, irregularities or fraud, but none of these were likely to have affected the outcome of the elections. It should be emphasized, however, that the majority of international observers, including the IVOs, were in Cambodia for only a matter of days before, during and after election day. Although many had previous experience in Cambodia, their mandate did not extend to an analysis or conclusions related to allegations of pre-election intimidation and violence.

It is clearly for the Cambodian people, not the international community, to judge these elections. The IVOs wish to congratulate polling officials, party agents and observers who worked so diligently to ensure the transparency and integrity of the voting and counting process, and the voters who came out in large numbers to exercise their democratic rights. All 22 parties that participated had agreed in advance to accept the ground rules laid down in the National Election Law and in the regulations of the National Election Commission.

Final results of the elections are not yet available. The IVOs’ experience, taken together with that reported by other national and international observer groups, leads us to conclude that the election process of July 27 and 28 was administered in a transparent and accurate way. We urge all parties to accept the final results when they have been certified and published, and to work together to create an effective and productive National Assembly and a government dedicated to the welfare of the Cambodian people.

[Election results are being posted as they come in at the NEC site prepared with the assistance of the government of Canada http://www.cambodiaelection2003.com/ProvincialResults.htm?language=e ]