Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (Photo: AFP/VNA)Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen hasannounced that he would stay in power for another two terms to ensure politicalstability and national development.
Speaking at a ceremony in the capital city of Phnom Penh on June 5, PMHun Sen said he wants to turn Cambodia into a middle-income nation. Maintainingthe leadership role will help him to realise the target, he said.
Meanwhile, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni has called for the people tovote in the forthcoming national election, saying that it is the only chance toelect their leaders in every five years.
In a royal message released to the media on the same day, King Sihamonisaid the forthcoming election is a free, fair, and confidential election.
Cambodia is scheduled to hold a national election for the 125-seatNational Assembly on July 29.
Twenty political parties will contest in the forthcoming election, whichwill see some 8.3 million people cast their ballots, according to the NationalElection Committee (NEC).
The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of PM Hun Sen is forecast tocontinue winning the election as the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) -the biggest opposition party - was dissolved by the Supreme Court in November 2017after its leader Kem Sokha was arrested and charged with treason for conspiringwith a foreign power in an attempt to overthrow the government.
Up to 118 senior members of the CNRP have also been prohibited toparticipate in political activity for five years.
In the last election five years ago, eight political parties joined therace. As a result, the CPP won 68 seats against 55 seats for the CNRP in thethen-123-seat National Assembly.-VNA
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