Mending fences

Cambodian PM open to dialogue amid claims of voting irregularites

Hun Sen welcomes probe into polls fraud claims.

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen said he would welcome any investigation into claims of fraud in hotly disputed polls and was open to dialogue with the opposition.

His ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) on Sunday claimed it had secured an estimated 68 of the 123 lower house seats, shading the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) which won 55.

The CNRP has rejected the results, alleging it was robbed of victory by widespread voting irregularities, and has vowed to press for nationwide protests unless a probe is launched.

In a conciliatory public appearance – his first since the election – Hun Sen, whose party was chastened by its worst poll results since 1998, voiced support for a probe into the fraud accusations.

“If NEC (the National Election Committee) think it is necessary for the political parties and civil society organisations to participate in the process, the government and CPP welcome this in order to show transparency and to have a resolution that everyone can accept,” he said.

The CNRP has already called for a United Nations-backed investigation into allegations that 1.25 million legitimate voters were culled from the electoral roll, while more than one million “ghost names” and a further 200,000 duplicated names were added to the list.

Its leader Sam Rainsy said yesterday that his party had won a majority of 63 seats and repeated a vow to prevent the CPP “stealing victory”.

Hun Sen did not address the matter of the UN’s possible involvement in the probe.

He told reporters the election was a “victory of our nation” and his party was ready to talk with the opposition.

“We (CPP) are ready to open for discussion between the political parties that hold seats in the parliament,” Hun Sen said.

“I think the political parties will surely make a compromise, it is unavoidable... we open our hearts to compromise to set up the parliament so that our country will have full democracy,” he added. — AFP