PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s opposition leader yesterday denounced signs of voter fraud on the eve of elections and labelled Prime Minister Hun Sen a “coward” for not allowing him to participate.
Sam Rainsy said his Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) had uncovered irregularities such as tens of thousands of duplicated voter names that would allow some people to cast ballots twice in Today’s polls.
He also alleged that the ink used for voting could be washed off. “We are going backward in terms of election fairness,” Rainsy told reporters.
“More people will vote for us,” he said. “But I suspect the ruling party, knowing this, will cheat more, will cheat like mad.”
Local and international rights groups have also voiced concerns about reports of irregularities, while the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Surya Subedi, urged the kingdom to probe complaints.
“Every eligible voter must be given an equal opportunity to exercise his/her right to vote without intimidation, fear or pressure,” he said in a statement. “Allegations of intimidation must be promptly investigated by the authorities.”
But the ruling party Cambodian People’s Party dismissed the CNRP’s allegations.
Rainsy returned to Cambodia on July 19 from self imposed exile in France after receiving a surprise royal pardon for criminal convictions which he contends were politically motivated.
But he is barred from running as a candidate since the authorities said it was too late to add his name to the electoral register.
Several attempts to reverse the decision were rejected last week. “If the prime minister wants to keep his position he must be brave enough to confront me,” Rainsy said.
“It’s very unfair and shows that the current prime minister is really a coward... The ruling party is nervous. That’s why they block me by all means,” Rainsy added. AFP
