Election Night in Cambodia

November 05, 2008

John Vink was in Cambodia. He writes:

U.S. election night in Phnom Penh was held in the daytime. And it was not really for Americans.

But rather, it was held for Cambodians: students, teachers, politicians (both from the powers in place and from the opposition party), people from N.G.O.’s, working in the Human Rights field, for the International Labour Organisation etc.

Some 150 people were shown how democracy is working in the U.S. How it’s done over there. Large screens all over, a good sound system (usually disastrous here), nice little snacks from a more expensive catering company, balloons, stars spangled banners, a chamber orchestra playing “Oh Carol.” And a fake polling booth for fake elections with fake voting bulletins for real Cambodians (97 voters: 72 for Barack Obama and 25 for John McCain). The American Embassy had two reasons to celebrate: a new President and a new Ambassador: Carol Rodley got off the plane this same morning.