Election matters
With the elections coming up on Sunday, there is a tense atmosphere. Political party posters are on wall, cars, shops and even my favourite American diner. The roads are emptier and people are returning to the province to cast their votes.
My local 7-11 owner is asking me if foreigners are nervous and was surprised that I'm not leaving the country, as many appear to be doing. He asked me if I thought the elections would be fair and then retracted the question saying that he shouldn't be asking me. Assuring him that, he could ask anything he wanted, I told him that I have no idea.
The mobile phone messaging system will be down to prevent last minute campaigning via text message. There is also a strange edict banning the sale of alcohol for 48 hours the day before and the day of the election. KI-Media has the story.
A couple of pubs have declared that they will be flouting the ban but many others are closing for three days. Foreigners are expected to comply with prohibition. The notion is to prevent violence. Let's see what happens.
Hopefully the elections will pass without violence and will be free of corruption. Only time will tell but people are nervous.
ETA: There are 90 000 election observers to prevent fraud.
My local 7-11 owner is asking me if foreigners are nervous and was surprised that I'm not leaving the country, as many appear to be doing. He asked me if I thought the elections would be fair and then retracted the question saying that he shouldn't be asking me. Assuring him that, he could ask anything he wanted, I told him that I have no idea.
The mobile phone messaging system will be down to prevent last minute campaigning via text message. There is also a strange edict banning the sale of alcohol for 48 hours the day before and the day of the election. KI-Media has the story.
"Cambodian and foreign citizens must cooperate with the government," said Hun Sen.
The action is being instituted to ensure the vote proceeds in a non-violent fashion, without intimidation, threats and other incidents associated with excessive alcohol consumption, the premier said in the statement.
"Military police, police and local authorities at all levels must educate people to implement this directive, to suspend the selling or drinking of alcohol so as the election would be free, fair and non-violent," he said.
A couple of pubs have declared that they will be flouting the ban but many others are closing for three days. Foreigners are expected to comply with prohibition. The notion is to prevent violence. Let's see what happens.
Hopefully the elections will pass without violence and will be free of corruption. Only time will tell but people are nervous.
ETA: There are 90 000 election observers to prevent fraud.
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2 comments:
Why do you too not take a long weekend off? Ask the UNHCHR to buy you a flight out for the sake of your safety. There seems to be an inplied threat to foreigners. A long weekend on a beach might be better than having to stay indoors in fear of what might be going on outside. What do people expect? What do they fear? Why are other foreigners getting out? If they why not you too?
There is no implied threat to foreigners especially those not observing the elections. People are staying home because that's what the agencies and embassies are advising. Also it's not fun to be stuck in crowds.
Those who are leaving are not leaving out of a fear for their safety, I imagine, but a great opportunity to have a long weekend.
As for the UN, they are not in the habit of buying flights for random volunteers and I'm not worried about the elections
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