Bakdep – The Kuehong Election Commission has announced on state media that the elections for the national and state legislatures will be held on 17 July this year. This announcement comes about 30 days after the dissolution of all state and national legislatures in the country.

Similarly to previous elections, all candidates wishing to contest for a constituency seat has to go through a screening process before campaigning. The ban on formal political parties remain in place but informal alliances between candidates are allowed. The approved candidates will be announced on 30 June.

The sudden announcement took many by surprise, and many hopefuls have complained about the short time they were provided to prepare and campaign for the election. A police officer, who plans to campaign for a seat in Bap Chan, said that he might not get the funds in time for his campaign. On the other hand, a former Assembly member who is contesting for Lang Hac, said that they are sufficiently prepared and hoped to regain their seat.

Meanwhile, many young Kuehongese has expressed disinterest in the polls, due to the lack of power the legislatures have. As voting remains compulsory in the country, many voters have cast blank votes in opposition to the bank of candidates selected. “Most of the results are already predetermined. Whether I vote or not, it does not make a difference to the country’s direction,” said a Vang Ngat shopkeeper the PG has spoken to.

Outgoing Chairman Senior General Vu Yen Luc has warned against casting blank votes and has threatened to take any appropriate action. Vu himself will be stepping down as Chairman in September and Vice-chairman Lê Văn Kiệt is expected to take over and work with the new legislatures.

“The blank votes will count towards the majority. Don’t let your vote to go to the person you do not wish to vote for,” said Vu at a conference in Kiet Tai.