Five major parties undertook noisy, elaborate campaigning in Phnom Penh Thursday, sweeping supporters through the capital's thoroughfares and side streets
- From: Chim <ChimS1@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:07:11 -0700 (PDT)
Raucous Rallies Sweep Through Capital
By Seng Ratana, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
26 June 2008
Five major parties undertook noisy, elaborate campaigning in Phnom
Penh Thursday, sweeping supporters through the capital's thoroughfares
and side streets to the banging of drums, shouting of supporters and
blasting of songs, new and old.
Party supporters followed their leaders, bedecked in new T-shirts and
ball caps bearing party logos, and adorned with face stickers of party
symbols or, simply, the numbered slot each party holds on the ballot.
Police sedans, sirens silent, headlights flashing, led the convoys,
along with National Election Committee vehicles, keeping the streets
relatively snarl free and preventing clashes between opposing
supporters.
The major parties, Cambodian People's, Funcinpec, Sam Rainsy, Norodom
Ranariddh and Human Rights, hung pictures and slogans on cars and
motorcycles, to parade through the capital. No minor parties held
rallies in Phnom Penh, reserving their efforts for the rural areas.
The ruling CPP, fourth on the ballot, used around 100 trucks and
numerous motorcycles, loaded with activists, bringing together about
13,000 people, a spokesman said. Prime Minister Hun Sen, a candidate
for Kandal province, joined, as party loudspeakers broadcast messages
of relief for the poor.
"Bravo, nation, religion and king!" people shouted from trucks.
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the CPP would only hold
rallies at the beginning and end of the campaign period, which runs
between June 26 and July 25.
The CPP also mounted large TVs on trucks, which broadcast activities
of CPP leaders in rural areas, as well as sports, a new campaign
technique this year, Khieu Kanharith said.
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy, festooned in jasmine flowers, stood in
the back of a rally truck, his palms pressed in a sampeas to
supporters and crowds that gathered outside homes and shops. Sam
Rainsy, whose opposition party is No. 9 on the ballot, is competing
for a parliamentary seat in Kampong Cham.
The convoy slowly passed Central Market, broadcasting political
messages and pop songs with altered lyrics, such as, "Change, change,
change." In one song, a woman sings to a suitor, promising to marry
him after the SRP wins the election.
Funcinpec held a quick rally of 100 trucks in Phnom Penh, before
taking the convoy to Kampong Cham province, where party president Keo
Puthreaksmey is competing.
HRP President Kem Sokha, also competing for a seat in Kampong Cham,
and other party leaders led about 70 trucks and an estimated 5,000
supporters in yellow shirts and caps.
"What party do you vote for?" supporters called. "Human Rights Party,
No. 11 on the ballot!" came the response.
Around 3,000 activists joined the NRP, No. 1 on the ballot, for its
rally of 50 trucks, and an official said the campaign showed that even
in the absence of Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who is in exile, the party
still had the power to gather support.
"Please vote for Prince Norodom Ranariddh, and vote for the Norodom
Ranariddh Party," voices sang to a recorded traditional drum beat.
Election observers said the process in Phnom Penh went smoothly, and
no incidents of violence were reported.
http://voanews.com/khmer/2008-06-26-voa1.cfm
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