| English.news.cn 2013-07-03 21:22:22 |
   
 
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PHNOM PENH, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
(RCAF) is neutral during the forthcoming general election, but military
personnel will cast their ballots for the party they like, deputy prime
minister and defense minister Gen. Tea Banh said Wednesday.
"The RCAF statute clearly states that this body is neutral, not biased towards any political party," he told reporters. "But for individuals, they have the same right as common citizens to vote for the party they like."
Meanwhile, the minister appealed to armed forces to strengthen security and public order during the election campaign period and on the election day in order to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election.
Cambodia is set to hold a general election for the 123-seat parliament on July 28. The one-month election campaign kicked off last Thursday.
Lt. Gen. Kirt Chantharith, spokesman for the National Police, said last Wednesday that about 70,000 security personnel would be deployed on the polling day.
Eight political parties will contest the election. Three major parties are the ruling Cambodian People's Party of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party led by self- exiled Sam Rainsy, and the royalist Funcinpec Party headed by Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey, the youngest daughter of late King Father Norodom Sihanouk.
Sam Rainsy, Hun Sen's main rival, fled the country in late 2009 before Cambodian court sentenced him to 11 years in prison in absentia.
He is unable to return to Cambodia for the election.
Prime Minister Hun Sen's party won 90 seats in the last election in July 2008. Political analysts predict that his party will win a landslide victory in the upcoming polls.
Hun Sen, 61, has been in power for 28 years and vowed to stay in office until he is 74.
"The RCAF statute clearly states that this body is neutral, not biased towards any political party," he told reporters. "But for individuals, they have the same right as common citizens to vote for the party they like."
Meanwhile, the minister appealed to armed forces to strengthen security and public order during the election campaign period and on the election day in order to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election.
Cambodia is set to hold a general election for the 123-seat parliament on July 28. The one-month election campaign kicked off last Thursday.
Lt. Gen. Kirt Chantharith, spokesman for the National Police, said last Wednesday that about 70,000 security personnel would be deployed on the polling day.
Eight political parties will contest the election. Three major parties are the ruling Cambodian People's Party of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party led by self- exiled Sam Rainsy, and the royalist Funcinpec Party headed by Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey, the youngest daughter of late King Father Norodom Sihanouk.
Sam Rainsy, Hun Sen's main rival, fled the country in late 2009 before Cambodian court sentenced him to 11 years in prison in absentia.
He is unable to return to Cambodia for the election.
Prime Minister Hun Sen's party won 90 seats in the last election in July 2008. Political analysts predict that his party will win a landslide victory in the upcoming polls.
Hun Sen, 61, has been in power for 28 years and vowed to stay in office until he is 74.
Editor:
Deng Shasha
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