Cambodia’s Ruling, Opposition Parties at Odds Over Electoral Body Reform

Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodia People’s Party (CPP) on Monday rejected an opposition proposal to revamp the country’s electoral body as they met for a third round of talks aimed at breaking a seven-month political deadlock following disputed polls. Opposition leader Sam Rainsy’s Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) said in a statement that the CPP was unwilling to accept its demand for a rapid restructure of the government-appointed National Election Commission (NEC), which oversees the country’s polls and which critics have said lacks independence. At the end of the talks, the two parties failed to emerge with a joint statement as they did in their previous two meetings aimed at breaking a political deadlock following the July 28, 2013 elections. … CPP team leader Binh Chhin told reporters on Monday that the two sides had “expressed differences on technical terms,” but had “shown goodwill on working towards common goals.” … Also on Monday, the CNRP in Takeo province cancelled two party rallies after the CPP held counter rallies that included members of the security forces in nearby locations. … The Neutral & Impartial Committee for Free & Fair Elections in Cambodia (Nicfec), an election watchdog,  claimed the CPP action was a result of a call from Hun Sen to hold counter rallies against all opposition demonstrations, which he said was inciting violence. …

 Radio Free Asia News Staff
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/reform-03102014163840.html