The Cambodian legislative elections of 2023 took place on July 23, 2023, resulting in a significant victory for the ruling party, the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), led by Prime Minister Hun Sen. The CPP secured 120 out of 125 seats in the National Assembly, solidifying its position in power. The only other party represented in the Parliament, the Candlelight Party, managed to win five seats.
This election marked the first time since 2013 that the opposition was absent from the electoral process, further strengthening Hun Sen’s grip on power, who has been in office for 38 years.
Notably, several international observers were present during the 2023 Cambodian legislative elections, including representatives from the European Union, the United States, Japan, the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Global Association of Electoral Observers. Their crucial role was to closely monitor the electoral process to ensure its fairness, transparency, and freedom. They visited polling stations, observed the voting and ballot-counting procedures, and engaged with voters and electoral officials to ensure a credible electoral process.
