Cambodia’s Top Court Orders Release of Ballot Records

Cambodia’s highest court on Friday ordered the country’s electoral body to release secured ballot information from more than a dozen polling stations to investigate claims by the opposition of irregularities in last month’s disputed elections. Constitutional Council of Cambodia President Ek Sam Ol issued an urgent statement informing the National Election Committee (NEC) that it must open the ballot packages from a commune in Kratie province after reviewing complaints of voter fraud in the July 28 polls. “The NEC must open the 13 packages from 13 polling stations in Svay Chhrum commune in Kratie province,” the statement read. “The opening will be held in Phnom Penh’s NEC headquarters on Aug. 25 at 8:00 a.m. The CCC will send observers to monitor the process.” … Opposition officials welcomed the Constitutional Council ‘s decision Friday, but urged the court to allow observers from the CNRP, as well as from independent Cambodian and international groups, to monitor the opening of the ballot information. In a statement released Friday, the CNRP said that the opening of the secure packages should be a “transparent process” done in a way that will reassure voters and allow both parties to recognize the result. …

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