Cambodia Political Parties Kick Off Campaigning

The long awaiting period for the political campaigning was finally over.

Thursday [26th June 2008], Cambodia political parties kick off its 1st day of long month campaigning in style. The long concoys of trucks, cars and motorbikes, have been holding rallies along major thoroughfares and public places in the capital city, Phnom Penh, except those majors imposed restriction by the City Hall.

From distant, it seemed a colorful processions indeed: - The Cambodian People's Party and Sam Rainsy supporters are all in either white T-shrits or shirt, while the UNCIPEC and Human Rights Party are in yellow Polo and T-shirts, distinguishing only by the symbol, shape and color[s] of its official party logo.

The mobile sound system operators are out in force.

Many of small, flat-bed trucks are criss-crossing Phnom Penh, displaying banners and placards of each individual party's leader and logo, blasting out music, political slogans - anything to get the attention of potential voters while party members cram into the back of each vehicle.

Election will be taking place on 27 July. Eleven political parties are contesting for the 123-seat National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, with the winner forming a government for the next five years.

There are high hopes that Cambodia's fourth democratic election will be a peaceful one.