CPP Says ‘Too Late’ for Joint Investigation Into Election
CPP lawmaker and de facto party spokesman Cheam Yeap said yesterday it was now “too late” to form an independent committee to investigate alleged irregularities during last month’s national election and that the opposition CNRP needs to be “more flexible” in its relationship with the ruling party. But opposition leader Sam Rainsy said the CNRP was already seeking advice on how to go about conducting nationwide protests peacefully come September 8 when the official election results are handed down. “It is too late [to create a special committee]. We [the CPP] are the winning person, we cannot bow to the person who did not win. So the person who did not win must be flexible in their relationship with the winning person,” Mr. Yeap said. “If [the CNRP] doesn’t believe in the NEC and Constitutional Council, why participate in the election?” he added, referring to the two bodies responsible for investigating allegations of irregularities at the polls. … Mr. Yeap headed a ruling party delegation that met with CNRP representatives for an initial round of talks on August 9, when both sides agreed in principle to the formation of an ad hoc investigation commission. However, the two sides reached an impasse over the composition of the committee. The CPP has said only the National Election Committee (NEC) has the authority to head such an investigation, while the CNRP alleges that it was the NEC, along with the CPP, that committed the alleged electoral fraud and manipulation that needs to be investigated. …
Khy Sovuthy and Colin Meyn
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/elections/cpp-says-too-late-for-joint-investigation-into-election-41033/
