NEC Rejects Joint-Party Vote Investigation

National Election Committee (NEC) Secretary-General Tep Nytha reiterated Thursday that the NEC had no authority to establish a joint-party investigation into alleged irregularities during Sunday’s national election, while opposition leader Sam Rainsy said he would now seek an investigation outside the NEC. Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday that the ruling CPP would be open to participating in a joint investigation into irregularities with the opposition CNRP if the NEC responded to calls to establish one. Mr. Nytha said that the NEC’s authority to examine complaints regarding election irregularities only allowed it to do so alone, and that it had no power to host any other investigation. “As we responded to His Excellency Sam Rainsy, this request [for a joint investigative committee] is beyond the NEC’s rights,” he said. “It is not under our jurisdiction, but we will create a process for everybody to submit complaints about irregularities to the NEC and the provincial electoral bodies.” …

http://www.cambodiadaily.com/elections/nec-rejects-joint-party-vote-investigation-38129/