A day of choices... sorta

Hi all! I'd love to tell you how this weekend was a big adventure, and how I went out into the wilds on an excursion... or at least to the city to get some pizza.

Unfortunately, that's not the case, but at least I have an interesting reason!

Did you remember to vote?

That's right - it's election day! Hmm? What are elections like here?

Vote for Aidan!

Well, for starters, they do things here a bit like they did in the Bible. You know, go to your home town and such? Here, you must return to your home province to register and vote. Here's some good highlights you will like:

-The prime minister declares that all business must close for voting day and give their employees the day off to vote.

-The sale of alcohol is prohibited starting the day before elections.

-Large gatherings of any kind are prohibited to prevent another mess of an election (read: to prevent more killings and riots).

-Women can vote.

Party representatives inbound.

 Yes! You heard me right. Women can vote here. That's good, right?





Why yes. Yes it is.





What are the downsides? Well...




-The ban on alcohol caused an apparent run on partying, as evidenced by the loudness coming from down the street the day before the ban. Too bad about that rainstorm... it kinda spoiled pretty much all the parties nearby. ;)

We interrupt your regularly scheduled drunken revelry and mischief with an important message from our sponsor...

-It's not really all that safe to walk around. Previous years were marked by casualties, and if you head back about 13 years or so you'll find info about a fairly bloody coup that took place. I won't name names, but that political party still holds a majority vote here.

-To the Khmer, voting is sometimes based on "Hey, you mean there's more than one candidate?" and other times based on threats of violence by a certain party (seems to have been toned down this year as far as I can tell). Remember folks - a threat that peace will disappear if you lose is still a threat, and it makes you a bully, not a politician... especially to a wounded people (see: 'Hope in the dark places' post).

-There's a lack of definition between parties. Platforms are nearly identical, and even campaign colors match. For instance, the pics above were one party, and here's a different one:

This candidate is also currently serving a prison term right now. He's the second place guy right now.

This election was for controlling votes in what might be considered the Senate or Electorate here. I haven't been doing this much, but here's some good reading if you want to see what I mean about lack of choices:

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012060156541/National-news/ten-parties-little-choice.html

A party in the streets with stage and all.

What does it mean for us?

Well, due to the business ban, no work can get done. This means a bit of a day off for my family and I. It also means Eric and Ginny have extra work to do on Tuesday (the ban was supposedly through Monday).

It also means no pizza. :)





Still, it's great that a country so war-torn can now hold democratic elections, even if they are full of shenanigans.

The winners will have a majority vote for awhile, and probably affect the big election for the high-up offices in July 2013. I hope to be able to cover that one too, cuz I really like this place, and plan on still being here... unless it's really dangerous, in which case, we'll go have a nice vacation in Kuala Lumpur or Thailand or something.

What happens to the losers? Well, they go home, sulk, and maybe stop at the market to grab...

...from those parts of the 'Deadliest Catch' you don't get to see. :)

...Panda Fish!

What? You know I couldn't resist. I mean, it's fish... shaped like little pandas... it's cute!

Trust me. There's lots of fun things at the markets and stores here. Maybe next time I'll take you with me and Aidan on a shopping trip.