Bakdep – The long-delayed official results for the July elections have finally been released by the Kuehong Election Commission.
According to the official results, most of the pro-military candidates are able to obtain their seat in the national legislature. Overall, 74.62 per cent of the vote went to these candidates. This is a significant improvement from the dismal 2016 elections in which the pro-democracy candidates managed to secure a significant portion of legislative seats.
However, unlike previous elections, the official results did not show the proportion of blank votes. In the 2016 elections, about 40% of the votes are blank votes, which led to the significant victory for the pro-demoracy faction.
In response to the large proportion of blank votes, a controversial legislation was passed by decree in 2017, that blank votes would count towards the majority of the votes. Analysts at the time saw the measure as trying to draw more votes to the pro-military candidates.
Observers have commented that it seems a significant portion of blank votes were counted towards the pro-military votes. While they were not surprised, they were dismayed as to how the elections were rigged in favour of the military, and unanimously agreed it was unfair.
As soon as the results were announced, an Internet blockage was imposed, seen as a measure to suppress the comments on the official voting results. However, many of those PG was able to reach out to expressed dismay with the success of the pro-military, and those apathetic towards the polls regretted not casting their votes for the pro-democracy candidates.
With the results released, appointed Chairman Le Van Kiet has congratulated the candidates called for the reconvening of the new Assembly “soon”, after the celebrations of 16 August. This was so that the new Chief Assembly will be elected. The incoming Chairman, set to take office in September, has hoped for the Assembly’s Cooperation with the NSSC (National Security and Stability Council) for the peace and prosperity of the country.
