The overwhelming victory of the CPP was not surprising.

According to preliminary results published by reputable Cambodian news outlets, Prime Minister Hun Sen's CPP has won 120 out of 125 seats in the National Assembly, while the royalist FUNCINPEC party has secured the remaining 5 seats.

Speaking to the press after the election, NEC Chairman Prach Chan said that preliminary figures showed a voter turnout of 84.58%, equivalent to approximately 8.2 million out of a total of 9.7 million eligible voters.

Meanwhile, in the 2018 Cambodian elections, the CPP secured a total of 125 seats in the National Assembly. Voter turnout was 83.02% of the 8.38 million eligible voters.

Preliminary results indicate that the overwhelming victory of the CPP over its rivals in the 2023 Cambodian elections was not unexpected; it was predicted by media outlets, experts both domestically and internationally, and especially by the majority of Cambodian people. This truly reflects the aspirations and trust in the CPP's leadership, a belief and hope that has been nurtured by the Cambodian people for over four decades.

A resounding victory for the CPP can also be seen as strong support for the message from the CPP's top leaders. Prime Minister Hun Sen, the CPP chairman, delivered the message during his election campaign that, "Voting for the CPP is voting for peace, democracy, development, full national independence, sovereignty , and territorial integrity. Voting for the CPP is voting for yourself." The Prime Minister also strongly affirmed that if the CPP wins the election, the Cambodian people will be the winners.

The assertion by General Hun Manet, the CPP's future Prime Minister candidate for Cambodia, that "the CPP has the capacity to lead the country, especially to maintain political stability, bring peace and prosperity to the people; to meet all the needs for progress and development in all fields of Cambodia," and that "the CPP's policies and development strategies for Cambodia are always planned with a clear strategic vision; always placing the mission of serving the people above all else," also received attention and trust from Cambodian voters.

According to preliminary results, Prime Minister Hun Sen's CPP won an overwhelming victory in the 2023 Cambodian elections. Photo: Freshnews.

Victory stemming from a people-centered approach.

With the preliminary results of yesterday's Cambodian 2023 elections (July 23), the CPP is very confident that it has a historic opportunity to continue leading Cambodia for the seventh term of the National Assembly.

So the question is, what are the key factors that have contributed to the CPP's success, ensuring it consistently wins the support and trust of the Cambodian people, and allowing it to maintain its leading position in the country for decades?

It's difficult to list all the causes, factors, and circumstances that could explain this question. However, one thing is certain: the success of the CPP cannot be attributed solely to its core policies and principles, which prioritize the people, place the Cambodian people at the center, and protect their interests and the harmonious interests of the nation.

For the past 44 years, and for many years to come, if the CPP continues to enjoy the trust of the Cambodian people, the government under CPP leadership will remain absolutely loyal to three core objectives centered around the interests of the people. In the simplest and most understandable terms, as conveyed in General Hun Manet's message, these three core objectives are: "Life, stomach, and reputation."

"Life," he explained, was the very life and survival of the nation that motivated the CPP to liberate the Cambodian people from the brutal genocidal regime of the Khmer Rouge, unite them towards national reconciliation, and pave the way for revival, peace, and stability.

"The 'stomach' here refers to the people enjoying a prosperous and happy life, with all aspects of their lives taken care of. General Hun Manet particularly emphasized caring for the people's livelihoods through government support in social issues, education, living conditions, and community health care services."

Meanwhile, the "face" of Cambodia, signifying the granting of rights and freedoms to its people, striving for economic prosperity, and strengthening and enhancing Cambodia's honor and prestige on the international stage...

History has also proven that, over the past decades, the CPP has consistently upheld its principles of protecting peace, stability, security, social order, the peaceful lives of the people, socio-economic development, and strengthening democracy; respecting, protecting, and promoting the rights of the people; and receiving increasing attention and investment in the economic, social, cultural, educational, health, employment, and many other fields, leading to a continuous improvement in people's lives.

And the COVID-19 pandemic crisis is the clearest evidence, affirming that all core policies and principles of the CPP always revolve around the interests of the people. Under the leadership of the CPP, the Cambodian government has successfully fought against the deadly pandemic, saving lives, maintaining livelihoods, and balancing the economy. This has led to a rapid post-COVID-19 economic recovery, with the country's economy now showing signs of renewed growth.

The 2023 Cambodian election unfolded in a manner largely predictable, with Cambodian voters casting their ballots for the political party they held the most affection and placed the most trust in. Now, what Cambodian voters and citizens most eagerly await is to see how capable leaders with strategic vision—representatives who embody the will and aspirations of the people—will fulfill their promises to the voters and the entire Cambodian population!

With the trust and affection of the people, and with the great achievements attained over the past 44 years, the CPP will surely continue to advance steadily on its glorious path, continuing to write proud chapters in its history, fulfilling its promise to voters to make Cambodia a prosperous nation in the region and the world, and ensuring that the Cambodian people enjoy a peaceful and happy life.

DOAN TRUNG

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