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               Cambodian Youth Becoming More Politically Engaged

   by Theara Khoun

   In the past few months, an unprecedented number of Cambodians under the
   age of 30 have begun participating in the political process, holding
   rallies, volunteering and posting on social media. This could lead to
   positive social change, observers say. But it remains to be seen how
   their engagement will play out in general elections set for July 28.
   Around 3.5 million of 9.5 million registered voters are between the
   ages of 18 and 30, according to the National Election Committee. Of
   those, some 1.5 million are first-time voters.
   That may seem like a lot. But no one really knows how many of them will
   turn out to vote. Only about half of those registered in that age group
   took part in commune elections last year. Some were too far from their
   homes, some did not have enough information, and some were simply not
   interested.
   Experts say that could change this year, pointing to a high number of
   volunteers as election monitors as one indicator.
   About 70 percent of the 10,000 election observers for the Committee for
   Free and Fair Elections are under 30.
   "I volunteered as an observer because I want to see a free and fair
   election and report any irregularities or fraud during the upcoming
   election," said Leng Chhanvy, 26, who is based in Kampong Thom
   province.
   Another volunteer, Ouk Pao, 23, said he wanted to encourage young
   people in his community to vote, by helping the Youth Chamber of
   Cambodia. He's one of 720 youths in nine provinces volunteering to help
   get out the vote.
   "The reason I decided to volunteer in this program is that I think
   youth are a driving force for positive change in society," he said. "So
   I have collaborated with a few other youths in my community to educate
   people in various communities about the importance of the election and
   the necessary documents needed. After our explanations, they appeared
   to be a lot more active in election."
   Still, where some volunteers are engaged in the election, others
   interviewed by VOA Khmer said they didn't feel the need to volunteer,
   though most said they would vote.
   "I have not participated in any election activities so far, but I have
   targeted a party to vote for, so I will go to vote for that party," Kim
   Seng, a 25-year-old food vendor in Phnom Penh, told VOA Khmer.
   Voters like Kim Seng will have representatives from eight different
   parties to choose from when they go to the polls on July 28.
   Cheang Sokha, executive director of the Youth Resource Development
   Council, said that Election Day will see a more dedicated generation,
   one whose members are increasingly passing election information between
   one another.
   "They tend to share it with their circles of friends or families," he
   said. "Also, they have actively participated in political campaigns for
   all political parties, which is quite different from previous
   mandates."
   Social media has helped spread some information, he said, but he noted
   there are still many of the younger generation living in rural areas,
   or in poverty, who lack resources and education.
   That means lower participation, said Koul Panha, head of the Committee
   for Free and Fair Elections. For these youth, registering is difficult
   and election information is scant, he said.
   Still Cheang Sokha remains confident that a greater voter turnout will
   take place this year.
   This article [1]originally appeared on VOA's Khmer service.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [2]http://www.voanews.com/content/youth-showing-more-political-engageme
   nt-as-election-approaches/1699953.html

References

   1. http://www.voacambodia.com/content/youth-showing-more-political-engagement-as-election-approaches/1698262.html
   2. http://www.voanews.com/content/youth-showing-more-political-engagement-as-election-approaches/1699953.html