Cambodian opposition makes big gains as Hun Sen party wins poll
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Cambodia’s ruling party won yesterday’s general election but with a much-reduced majority, according to the government, a result that will be seen as a setback for Hun Sen, one of the world’s longest-serving prime ministers.
Khieu Kanharith, government spokesman and information minister, said on his Facebook page the Cambodian People’s Party won 68 seats in parliament to the opposition’s 55, adding that was the final count. The National Election Committee gave a list of results from each polling station but no tally for parliamentary seats.
Backed by a compliant media and with superior resources, the CPP was confident of victory, but analysts had predicted a reduction in its majority after the merger of two main opposition parties plus the return from self-imposed exile of popular long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy.
While not formally conceding defeat for his Cambodia National Rescue Party, Sam Rainsy was conciliatory and called for calm after what were significant gains for the party. “We want to thank all Cambodian people ... regardless of their political affiliation, Cambodians who support all political parties, for their dignified participation in this election, for their contribution to make democracy move forward.”
The CPP had 90 of the 123 seats in the outgoing parliament and the parties that united to form the CNRP had just 29.
Sam Rainsy appealed to his youthful supporters not to cause any trouble. “We call for peace and reconciliation.”
Military police blocked off a road leading to the home of Hun Sen, who has been in power for 28 years, and one going to the offices of the CPP and the NEC in Phnom Penh.
Trucks carrying soldiers were seen going into the city but by late evening the streets were calm.
Earlier, in a highly charged atmosphere, an angry crowd had set fire to two police cars outside a polling station, a photographer said.
However, voting, like the campaign itself, was for the most part peaceful despite anger at alleged electoral fraud.
The CNRP claimed electoral lists were manipulated to give the CPP more votes and complained about the disruption of meetings and campaigning by security forces.
“The partisanship of the military and police has created an intimidating atmosphere for voters in many parts of the country,” United States-based Human Rights Watch said in a statement ahead of the poll.
The United Nations organized an election in 1993 that put Cambodia on a rocky path toward stability after decades of turmoil, including the 1975-79 “Killing Fields” rule of the Khmer Rouge.
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