On 9 April 2023, by-elections were held in 5 newly created districts across Cambodia.
The results were an expected landslide victory to the ruling Cambodian People's Party, where the newly emerged opposition party, Candlelight Party was successful in making small gains and inroads. Whereas FUNCINPEC, failed to receive a single vote.
Background A sub-decree signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen on 5 January stipulated the number of separate and newly formed city council members in Kandal, Kampong Speu and Kratie for the first mandate. The sub-decree added that for Arey Ksat city in Kandal, there are 19 councillors. Separately, Sampov Poun city in Kandal must have 19 councillors as well. The sub-decree added that for Udong Mechey in Kampong Speu, there must be 17 councillors. Sameakki Mean Chey district, located in Kampong Speu, must have 19 councillors. The sub-decree also stated that the newly established O’Kreang Sen Chey district in Kratie must have 15 councillors.
Election Timeline DateEvent8 April 2023Election silence period9 April 2023Election day24 April 2023Official results releasedSource: Khmer Times
Conduct The election was largely uneventful with no significant irregularities cited by election observers and the National Election Committee.
Electoral System The party with a simple plurality of votes is given the role of Council He'd, regardless of whether they achieve an absolute majority in obtaining votes or seats. Where in addition to this, the composition of the council is decided using closed listproportional representation, under the d'Hondt method, which the number of council seats determined by the National Election Committee (NEC) was 13.
As this is a city council election, there is no universal suffrage, as only councilors who were directly elected in 2022 will be eligible to vote, thus making this election indirect.
Contesting Parties PartyParty LeaderDistricts ContestedCandlelight PartyTeav VannolCambodian People's PartyHun SenFUNCINPECNorodom Chakravuth
Results
Overall PartyPopular VoteSeatsVotes%SwingSeats WonSeat ChangeCambodian People's Party20984.96%New78NewCandlelight Party3715.04%New11NewFUNCINPEC0New0NewTotal246100%89Valid votes246Invalid/blank votes0Total votes246Registered voters/turnout246 (100%)Source: National Election Committee
By District
Sameakki Mean Chey PartyPopular VoteSeatsVotes%SwingSeats WonSeat ChangeCambodian People's Party6291.30%New18NewCandlelight Party68.70%New1NewFUNCINPEC0New0NewTotal68100%19Valid votes68Invalid/blank votes0Total votes68Registered voters/turnout68 (100%)Source: National Election Committee
Udong Meanchey PartyPopular VoteSeatsVotes%SwingSeats WonSeat ChangeCambodian People's Party3286.49%New15NewCandlelight Party513.51%New2NewFUNCINPEC0New0NewTotal37100%17Valid votes37Invalid/blank votes0Total votes37Registered voters/turnout37 (100%)Source: National Election Committee
Sampov Poun PartyPopular VoteSeatsVotes%SwingSeats WonSeat ChangeCambodian People's Party3772.55%New14NewCandlelight Party1427.45%New5NewFUNCINPEC0New0NewTotal51100%19Valid votes51Invalid/blank votes0Total votes51Registered voters/turnout51 (100%)Source: National Election Committee
Arey Ksat PartyPopular VoteSeatsVotes%SwingSeats WonSeat ChangeCambodian People's Party5483.08%New16NewCandlelight Party1116.92%New3NewFUNCINPEC0New0NewTotal65100%19Valid votes65Invalid/blank votes0Total votes65Registered voters/turnout65 (100%)Source: National Election Committee
O’Kreang Sen Chey PartyPopular VoteSeatsVotes%SwingSeats WonSeat ChangeCambodian People's Party2496.00%New15NewCandlelight Party14.00%New0NewFUNCINPEC0New0NewTotal25100%15Valid votes25Invalid/blank votes0Total votes25Registered voters/turnout25 (100%)Source: National Election Committee
Aftermath
Reactions Sok Eysan, the spokesman for the Cambodian People’s Party, believes the election was a massive success for the party. Where Eysan furthermore stated the results were similar to the party’s "successful dominance" of the 2022 commune elections.
Kimsour Phirith, spokesman for the Candlelight Party, stated that some voters from the Candlelight Party chose to vote for other parties in exchange for favours and bribes. Apart from this, Phirith further stated that the Candlelight Party believed that the election process went over without any irregularities.
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