Here is a short message timeline of national elections of 2013, if you want to read the detail of each event, checkout at the bottom of the page.
The path to a new political landscape
Events that shaped the 2013 election and the ongoing stalemate
Six months before the Cambodian national election, few believed it would
be anything more than a forgone conclusion. For most, it was a given
that the ruling party would further extend its more than three-decade
grip on power. Possibly, said some, the opposition might modestly boost
its small minority of seats. But as the date of ballot grew closer and
Cambodia’s youth mobilised, it became increasingly clear that this was
by no means a one horse race.
May 27, 2013: Welcome to the gutter
The gloves come off well before the official election campaign period starts. Opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party leader Kem Sokha is targeted by CPP accusations that include claiming S-21 was a Vietnamese fabrication and fathering a child with a mistress who claimed he had physically assaulted her.
June 10, 2013 - Spiral of scandals
S-21 survivor Chum Mey launches a mass protest in response to the scandal and sues Kem Sokha, who refuses to apologise saying an audio recording purporting to show him making such claims had been doctored. Meanwhile, the government quickly rams through legislation forbidding the denial of Khmer Rouge crimes.
June 11, 2013 - New campaign theme: War
While Sam Rainsy announces that stripping opposition lawmakers from their position and salary "had set the preconditions for a civil war", Hun Sen reiterates that a CNRP victory in the election would result in civil war or even war with Vietnam.
July 12, 2013 - Royal Pardon
King Norodom Sihamoni officially pardons opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who was living in self-imposed exile in France, from a lengthy, unserved prison sentence. Rainsy faced more than a decade on convictions of defamation, forgery and racial incitement - charges that many maintain were politically motivated.
July 19, 2013 - Rainsy returns
After four years of self-imposed exile spent in France, Cambodia National Rescue Party leader Sam Rainsy is greeted by an estimated 100,000 supporters upon his return to Phnom Penh.
July 24, 2013 - A little sweetener
Minister of Interior Sar Kheng announces he will financially support vulnerable residents of Prey Veng, one of the most hotly contested provinces, if CPP wins the upcoming vote.
July 25, 2013 - Rainsy refused candidacy
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy’s bid to register as a candidate for the 2013 elections is shot down as the National Assembly refuses to reinstate the former lawmaker’s parliamentary immunity.
July 26, 2013 - Battleground seats
As the clock ticks down, analysts and candidates train their sights on six provinces where the race is expected to be especially tight.
July 28, 2013 - Voting begins, tensions rise
Polls open at 7 am and millions of Cambodians cast their vote amid murmurs of electoral irregularities including missing names on voter lists, ID troubles and duplicate voting in the most hotly contested election in a decade.
July 28, 2013 - Riot in Stung Meanchey
Angered by the electoral irregularities, voters in Phnom Penh's Stung Meanchey district take to the streets, detaining a polling station director and torching police cars.
July 28, 2013 (9PM) - CPP declares narrow victory
The same day, the ruling Cambodian People's Party claims a narrow victory. Preliminary results released that evening show the CPP held onto 68 seats with the opposition nabbing 55.
July 29, 2013 - Opposition rejects results
Citing widespread irregularities preventing up to 15% of registered voters from casting a ballot, the CNRP rejects the election results and calls for an investigation.
August 6, 2013 - Call for UN
Rainsy calls on the UN to launch an election probe and announces nationwide protests.
August 8, 2013 - Armed units in Phnom Penh
Armed units arrive in the capial in response to the opposition's planned mass demonstration.
September 7, 2013 - Peaceful CNRP rally
After training protesters in non-violent demonstration techniques, the opposition holds a peaceful mass rally in Freedom Park. Thousands of supporters pour into the city to protest the results of the election and urge a recount.
September 8, 2013 - Results confirmed
The National Election Committee releases the final results of the election, shown in this interactive map, that confirm preliminary tallies with the CPP taking 68 seats and the CNRP 55.
September 13, 2013 - Bombs found
Bombs and M79 shells are found and safely detonated near the National Assembly and Wat Phnom two days before the opposition is scheduled to hold a protest.
September 14, 2013 — September 16, 2013 - Negotiations begin amid stalemate
The opposition gathers again in Freedom Park for a three-day, sleep-in protest, during which the king also convenes talks between Prime Minister Hun Sen and CNRP leadership.
September 15, 2013 - Protest takes dark turn
Smoke grenades and water cannons are fired at the protesters in the late afternoon in what was supposed to be a peaceful opposition rally. The security situation takes a dark turn at night, when one man is shot dead and four seriously injured.
September 15, 2013 - Social media and protests
Twitter and social media play a crucial role in disseminating information about clashes between police and residents, including the killing of Mao Sok Chan by the police forces.
September 16, 2013 - Attempted immolation
On the last day of the opposition’s three day sit-in, a monk attempts to self-immolate, protesting infringements on people's rights by the CPP.
September 18, 2013 - King's plea
King Norodom Sihamoni urges CNRP members not to boycott the first parliamentary meeting set for September 23rd.
September 22, 2013 - Wat Phnom thuggery
At nighttime, police and thugs set violently upon a small vigil near Wat Phnom, using slingshots, batons and electric prods. At least six people are injured, including journalists and rights workers.
September 23, 2013 - CNRP boycott opening of parliament
Parliament opens with just the CPP members present. The opposition calls the assembly “communist” and unconstitutional, after declining participation in the opening ceremony.
October 25, 2013 - Tens of thousands march peacefully
Three-day CNRP rally ends peacefully. During the demonstration - which had drawn the highest turnout to date - opposition leaders delivered petitions to the UN and embassies calling for support.
November 6, 2013 - Ultimatum
Opposition leaders issue an ultimatum: Review the election irregularities by the end of the year or all talks are over. The CNRP also warns the government that further mass demonstrations will be held if they do not comply.
November 12, 2013 - Budget approved, opposition's voice missing
While the opposition continues to boycott the National Assembly, the 2014 National Budget is unanimously approved by the CPP lawmakers, with a controversial $1.5b sum unallocated.
December 10, 2013 - Monks march on Human Rights Day
Concluding a ten-day march into the city from provinces across the country, monks demonstrate outside the National Assembly for International Human Rights Day while the CNRP holds events at Wat Phnom and Freedom park. Security is minimal and all is peaceful. But at night, things turn ugly when a group of protesters is forcefully removed from the front of US Embassy, and riot police are attacked with Molotov cocktails near Wat Phnom.
December 15, 2013 - 'Non-stop' protests launched
Fired up CNRP supporters return to the streets after Sam Rainsy announces that the opposition will hold protests every day untill the new elections are called.
December 22, 2013 - CNRP's "Tsunami"
In the biggest opposition march so far, CNRP supporters flood the streets of Phnom Penh demanding Hun Sen's resignation and new election. Estimates of the crowd vary from 100 000 up to even 500 000 people.
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Thanks to Phnom Penh Post for a very good timeline.
Please visit the whole timeline with videos, pictures and other media
here.
