The nation's smaller political parties are facing an uphill battle. Often scratching
for just a single seat in the National Assembly, they have encountered problems of
media access and funding.
Intimidation by larger parties and charges of favoritism by the National Election
Committee (NEC) have also marred the early stretch of the campaign period. But most
agree this year's campaign is more fair than both the 1998 general election and last
year's commune elections.
Uk Phourik, president of the Khmer Democratic Party, said his party, which he claimed
was the fourth largest, was happy with the amount of media coverage, but would like
more: "It is still not enough, but we accept it. It is much better than in 1998."
But not everyone agrees. Khlok Prithi, president of the Molinaka-Khmer Freedom Fighters
Party, said the media was covering only the large parties.
That is not strictly true-each party, large and small, has a free twice-daily five
minute slot on state-owned TV and radio during the course of the campaign.
What is true is that the three largest parties garner the lion's share of news coverage.
But smaller players can buy time on privately-owned stations, a measure that is mostly
out of reach.
A minute of radio time can cost five dollars, said the Rice Party's Chea Ratha, which
is too expensive for it. An NEC media advisor said private TV stations had yet to
tell the NEC how much one minute of time would cost.
As for intimidation, most of the seven smaller parties that the Post spoke to reported
low-level efforts, but none noted physical violence.
The Khmer Unity Party (KUP) said three party activists, all teachers, were threatened
not to campaign. Bou Sa Rin of the KUP said the headmasters of all three were members
of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP). The KUP appealed to the NEC for help,
but does not expect much: "The NEC is just a tool of the CPP," he said.
The CPP was not the only party to have charges levied against it. Chea Ratha said
that activists from the Sam Rainsy Party had warned members of the Rice Party against
campaigning in a Kampong Cham market.
"Sam Rainsy says that he is the democracy protector. In fact, he is the democracy
destroyer," Chea Ratha complained.
And then there is the problem of cash: most small parties cannot spend money on the
trucks seen carrying CPP, Funcinpec and SRP supporters. Instead they rely on house-to-house
campaigning and handing out leaflets at markets.
The lack of cash was obvious from the KUP's Bou Sa Rin. As he sat down for an interview
at party headquarters on Russian Blvd., a CPP truck drove by, blaring music and filled
with supporters.
"But no matter how many trucks they have, the people know which parties are
good and which are bad," he said optimistically.
The general-secretary of the Khmer Angkor Party, Reach-Chan Sovan, said his supporters
were "just doing what we can", which amounts to leafleting.
The lack of cash also means the smaller players are unable to campaign nationally.
Most are campaigning in Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Kandal and Battambang-well-populated
areas with numerous seats.
But they still need to make themselves stand out from the 22-strong field. Along
with many others, the Khmer Citizens' Party (KCP) said it would ensure the integrity
of the nation's borders. But unlike the rest, the KCP claimed it had documentation
to prove in the World Court that territory in Thailand and Vietnam belongs to Cambodia.
But the best political message goes to the Cambodia Development Party (CDP). In a
country where 85 percent of the people live in rural areas, the CDP's president,
Mao Bora, has a vote-puller: "I will buy animals and good rice for the people
to improve their livelihoods if I win."
And although none of the small players has yet any representation in the National
Assembly, they are confident of their chances. Most would be happy with a single
seat in the new body.
But some have grander ambitions: the Rice Party is looking at taking ten seats. And
the CDP's Mao Bora said he thinks he too can get ten seats, "because I know
a lot of people in the provinces".
Contact PhnomPenh Post for full article
Post Media Co LtdThe Elements Condominium, Level 7
Hun Sen Boulevard
Phum Tuol Roka III
Sangkat Chak Angre Krom, Khan Meanchey
12353 Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Telegram: 092 555 741
Email: [email protected]