Report of ICAPP Mission to Observe the General Elections in Cambodia

(Phnom Penh, July 20-24, 2023)

At the invitation of the National Election Committee (NEC) of Cambodia, the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) sent the Mission to Observe the General Elections in Cambodia, which were held on July 23, 2013, during July 20-24, 2023. The mission was led by Hon. Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Co-Chairperson of the ICAPP Standing Committee and Chairman of the Senate Defense Committee of Pakistan, and composed of representatives of 12 political parties from 10 countries, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam. The mission was also joined by Ho. Ahn Myung-soo, Secretary General of the ICAPP Secretariat. The program of the mission is attached as Appendix I.

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, the members of the ICAPP mission were given orientation by the NEC, the Civil Society Alliance Forum (CSAF) and the Ministry of Interior of the Cambodian government on the procedures of the general elections and the code of conduct for electoral observers.

While in Cambodia, the members of the ICAPP mission were honored by a special meeting with His Excellency Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia and Chairman of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). Hon. Annie Sok An, spouse of the late H.E Samdech Vibol Panha Sok An, former Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia and the ICAPP Standing Committee Membe representing the CPP, hosted a dinner for the ICAPP mission. The member of the ICAPP mission also met other leaders of the CPP, including H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, and leaders of the Funcinpec Party and the Grassroots Democratic Party (GDP).

On Election Day, the ICAPP mission visited four polling stations, including the ones in Santhormok High School and Baktuk High School, and observed administrative and procedural activities being carried out for the elections by NEC staff with the assistance of volunteers. The ICAPP mission was also invited to witness the vote counting process immediately after the conclusion of the voting. Representatives from the political parties that had registered to compete in the general elections and representatives of civil society organizations were also invited to witness the vote counting process. In some vote counting stations, local and international media were invited to provide unimpeded coverage of the process, which was broadcast throughout the country.

In the early morning of July 24, 2023, the four members of the ICAPP Standing Committee, who participated in the mission, i.e. Hon. Mushahid Hussain Sayed of Pakistan, Hon. Dr. Rajan Bhattarai of Nepal, Hon. Maung Myint of Myanmar and Hon. Sujata Koirala of Nepal, held a press conference and issued a statement. Hon. Ahn Myung-soo, Secretary General of the ICAPP Secretariat also attended the press conference. The statement was attached as Appendix II.