PHNOM PENH, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian security forces are ready to deploy to ensure security and public order during the election campaign towards a general election slated for July 28, Lt. Gen. Kirt Chantharith, spokesman for the National Police, said Wednesday.
The campaign will be launched from June 27 to July 26 towards the election for the 123-seat parliament. "We will deploy about 20,000 security forces during the one- month election campaign and up to 70,000 forces during the election day,"he said in a press conference. "We will do by all security means to ensure security for all political parties and voters."
According to the National Election Committee, some 9.67 million Cambodians are eligible to cast their ballots at 19,009 polling stations nationwide.
Kirt Chantharith said during the election day, three security personnel with 30-bullet-loaded rifle will be deployed at each polling station.
Eight political parties will compete in the forthcoming election. Three major parties among them are the ruling Cambodian People's Party of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party led by self-exiled leader Sam Rainsy and the royalist Funcinpec Party headed by Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey, the youngest daughter of late King Father Norodom Sihanouk.
In the last election in 2008, Prime Minister Hun Sen's party won up to 90 seats, while the opposition totally won 29 seats and the royalist group won four seats.
Political analysts predict that Hun Sen's party will secure a landslide victory in the upcoming polls.
Hun Sen, 61, has been in power for 28 years. He has vowed to stay in the post until he is 74.
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