Saturday, August 10, 2013

Cambodian election body postpones releasing election results



Cambodia's National Election Committee (NEC) on Friday postponed announcing the temporary election results, which was planned on Aug. 10.

According to its announcement, the NEC said that the results would be released at a later date because it had not completed the investigation into alleged poll irregularities during the election on July 28.

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng said Friday that the postponement would give more time to the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), and the NEC to negotiate towards the establishment of a joint poll irregularity probe committee.

The initial unofficial results showed that the CPP of Prime Minister Hun Sen won 68 of the 123 parliamentary seats, with the CNRP of recently-pardoned leader Sam Rainsy taking the remaining 55 seats.

But Sam Rainsy rejected the results, claiming serious irregularities, and called for the establishment of a joint investigation committee.

If formed, the committee would comprise the NEC, the CPP and CNRP as members, while national, international or UN officials as observers.

Sar Kheng confirmed Friday that soldiers and armored vehicles have been deployed on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, in order to ensure security and stability as opposition leader Sam Rainsy has repeatedly warned to lead mass protests against the election results. - Philippines News Agency

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