Cambodian opposition demands new ballot

29/07/2008 00:11:46

Election officials say Cambodia's prime minister, Hun Sen, has taken nearly 60 per cent of the vote in weekend polls.

However, the opposition has rejected his win and demanded a new ballot.

The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won 59.6 percent of the vote in Sunday's election, compared with nearly 21 per cent for the nearest rival, the main opposition Sam Rainsy Party.

The National Election Committee says almost three quarters of eligible voters turned out for the ballot, but it did not say how many parliamentary seats each party had won.

The CPP claims it will take 90 of the 123 seats in parliament, with Sam Rainsy and three other small parties dividing the rest.

The four minority parties have rejected the outcome, accusing the CPP of fiddling with the voter rolls to ensure their victory.

Local observers have confirmed that some voters were turned away from polling stations after their names disappeared from the rolls, but they cast doubt on whether the problem was as widespread as the opposition claims.

Still, the Comfrel group of election observers say they cannot pronounce the vote free and fair until the claims are investigated.

Corruption and poverty
Analsysts say Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's election victory could give his party the power to ignore much-needed reforms to fight corruption and poverty.

The ruling party estimates that it has won 90 of parliament's 123 seats, which will be its first-ever two-thirds majority.

Analysts have credited Hun Sen's apparent landslide win to his efforts to build new roads and bridges while opening up the country's markets, resulting in double-digit economic growth.

But activists say his party's super-majority in parliament could undermine political checks and balances, stripping the opposition of ways to force the government to address key issues such as judicial reform and battling poverty.

At 55, Hun Sen has ruled Cambodia for 23 years. He has vowed to remain in power until he is 90.

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