Cambodia bans non-voters from running for future elections

The amended election law prohibits people who did not vote in the July 23 general election from running in subsequent elections.

Campuchia cấm người không bỏ phiếu ra tranh cử trong tương lai - Ảnh 1. — Voting session to approve amendments to the election law at the Cambodian National Assembly on June 23

AFP quoted Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Kheng as saying that those who do not vote without a valid reason will lose the right to run in the next four elections, including the 2024 Senate election, the 2024 municipal election, the 2027 commune-level election and the 2028 general election.

The new law imposes fines of 5 million to 20 million riel (VND28.4 million to VND113.8 million) on those who incite others not to register to vote, not to vote, leak ballots, and buy votes, according to the Khmer Times.

Violators will be removed from the electoral roll and banned from running for five years. Parties will also be fined if they fail to disqualify candidates. Political parties also risk being banned from running for elections if they are found guilty of incitement.

Regarding the regulation prohibiting people from running for future elections if they do not vote this time, Prime Minister Hun Sen said the proposal was made after some opposition figures abroad used social media to incite their domestic supporters to boycott the election. "This campaign calls on people not to vote or to invalidate their ballots by drawing an X on them. In response, I will end your political career. Don't blame me, it's your fault," Mr. Hun Sen said.

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