Cambodia Prepares for Commune Council Elections, Emphasizing Democratic Governance and Citizen Welfare

On the morning of Saturday, the 3rd waning moon of the 2nd month of the Assathan year, the 8th year of the Buddhist Era 2570, corresponding to August 1, 2026, Samdech Kralahom Sar Kheng, Deputy President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and Head of the Party's Working Group for Battambang Province, presided over the monthly meeting to review progress in implementing the joint plan towards the 6th mandate Commune/Sangkat Council elections, held in July 2027, at the meeting hall of the Battambang Provincial Party Headquarters. To begin, His Excellency Sok Lu, Member of the Central Committee and Chairman of the Provincial Party Committee, delivered a welcome speech and presented a report to the attendees. Speaking on the occasion, Samdech Sar Kheng stated that the Commune/Sangkat Council elections are local-level elections directly connected to the daily lives of the people. He emphasized that these elections are a crucial process for the CPP in continuing to lead, manage, and develop the nation. Samdech Sar Kheng further elaborated that the Commune/Sangkat Council elections serve as a vital mechanism for promoting and enhancing the process of strengthening democratic governance and advancing decentralization at the sub-national level. This aims to increase the efficiency of management, ensure the provision of public services with transparency and accountability, and promote local development to be more responsive and effective. He added that beyond election preparations, party working groups and all levels of the party must continue to pay close attention to monitoring, managing, and understanding the situation at the local level, including the political situation, security, social order, public sentiment, challenges, and people's requests. This is to ensure timely intervention and resolution of impacts on the people's livelihoods, especially those stemming from the closure of the Cambodia-Thailand border, rising fuel and gas prices, and other challenges. Concurrently, they must continue to monitor the evolving weather conditions to disseminate information to the public about the impacts of climate change. They should also prepare to cooperate with relevant ministries, institutions, authorities, and departments to take timely response and intervention measures. This particularly includes resolving water issues, rescuing rice and crops affected by adverse conditions, preparing rice seeds, and supporting citizens impacted by natural disasters to stabilize their livelihoods and alleviate their difficulties. Samdech Sar Kheng specifically emphasized that provincial, municipal, district administrations, and relevant ministries and departments must strive to strengthen the efficiency of their work within their respective institutions and units. They must also promote the implementation of development projects and programs at the local level and diligently provide support to Commune/Sangkat administrations in addressing and responding to the requests and challenges of the people at the local level effectively and in a timely manner. On behalf of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the CPP, and Samdech, Deputy President of the CPP, Samdech expressed his firm belief that His Excellency, Ladies, and Gentlemen will continue to strengthen their resolve and commitment together to achieve brilliant success for the CPP in the upcoming 6th mandate Commune/Sangkat Council elections in 2027. Source: CEN Cambodia