The run-up to the election saw some violence including the killing of a
judge and a royalist politician, however it was much reduced from previous elections. During the campaign the
United States Secretary of State Colin Powell visited Cambodia, met all three main party leaders and called on all parties to have fair coverage in the media. In total 22 parties contested the election but only three were seen as real contenders in the election. The Cambodian People's Party had control of much of the
media in Cambodia, the most money and a superior
party machine. The two main opposition parties criticised the government of Hun Sen for its corruption and pledged to improve health and education in Cambodia. FUNCINPEC called for reform of the economy and for more
foreign investment, but their leader,
Norodom Ranariddh, was seen as being ineffective and his party's popularity was in decline. Meanwhile, the
Sam Rainsy Party criticised corruption, pledged more money for health, education and
civil servant pay and attempted to attract the poor. The party had grown in strength since the previous election but their leader
Sam Rainsy was seen as being authoritarian. ==Results==