Cambodia Gears Up for 2027 Commune Elections with Voter Registration Amidst Border Tensions

The National Election Committee (NEC) of Cambodia is striving to ensure an accurate and up-to-date voter list for the 6th mandate Commune Council elections, scheduled for June 6, 2027. Speaking at an educational seminar on the importance of elections for political parties and stakeholders at the National Institute of Education (NIE) on September 25, 2026, NEC Chairman Prach Chan stated that the review and registration of voters will take place from October 7, 2026, to February 12, 2027. The voter review and registration period in communes nationwide will span 55 days, from October 7 to November 30, 2026. Based on estimated population and polling station numbers for the 2026 voter list review and registration plan, there are 11,374,953 citizens aged 18 and above. The number of newly eligible 18-year-olds is estimated at 194,823, those who have never registered at 325,294, and new residents at 39,960. An estimated 412,345 people are expected to register, while 97,375 are to be removed from the list. Biometric data updates are required for 4,274,953 individuals, and a total of 24,353 polling stations are anticipated. Prach Chan highlighted that the 2026 voter registration and review will occur under challenging circumstances, particularly in some border provinces affected by the Thai military's invasion in 2025. Parts of Cambodian territory in these areas remain under illegal occupation by the Thai military. He added that 21,211 Cambodian refugees have not yet returned to their homes. Preliminary reports from the election secretariats in border provinces indicate that among these refugees, 13,279 are aged 18 and above, with 10,899 already on the voter list. Therefore, the election secretariats and provincial authorities in the border regions will collaborate to facilitate these citizens' registration and voting at their current residences or designated polling stations, respecting their will.