Assessment report on the Cambodian National Assembly elections 2003

The report is based on the result of COMFREL monitoring and assessment on 2003 National Elections through its well-established network of monitoring and voluntary observation from national till provincial, district and commune levels reaching out all 12,826 polling stations. Over 15,000 long- and short-term election observers were trained and deployed during the pre- and post-national election in all the election activities from voter registration to vote counts and complaints. The report underlined a divergence of opinions on the free and fair elections in Cambodia, especially between the local people and the international communities, and event among the international community themselves. Most agree that the election process was not fully fair due to election irregularities and intimidation. However, the European Union, Japan and Australia say that it was "fair enough" marking a gradual transition towards democracy whereas the United States of America condemned the process given the climate of intimidation and unfair advantages held by the Cambodian People's Party.