Cambodia ruling party denies collusion with election council to rig votes

The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday denied the allegations by the opposition party that it has collusion with the National Election Committee (NEC) for ballot- rigging. “Some allegations that the CPP has collusion with the NEC for vote-rigging are groundless accusations and have intention to mislead the public about the election process in Cambodia,” said a CPP’s statement released Monday night. “The CPP categorically rejects these allegations.” The denial came after the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of longtime opposition leader Sam Rainsy has repeatedly accused the NEC of being controlled by the ruling CPP and rigging votes for the CPP during the July 28 national election. … The CNRP has requested an independent poll probe committee that excludes the participation from the current NEC, but the CPP has rejected the request, saying that no any joint poll probe committee will be formed without the NEC’s involvement because it is against Cambodian law. In the statement on Monday night, the CPP said that it would welcome any negotiations with the CNRP in order to sort out all problems peacefully. … Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Aug. 2 that a new parliament and a new government would be established as schedule despite the opposition’s boycott. According to the constitution, he said, a new government would be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament. …

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-08/19/c_132644494.htm