Cambodia's PM: Proposed poll probe committee violates constitution

The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen reiterated on Sunday that the opposition-requested independent investigation committee into alleged poll irregularities was contrary to the kingdom's constitution. "Any demand to form a mechanism for poll-related issue settlement that is contrary to the constitution and laws in force of Cambodia is impossible," said a CPP's statement. "The party is ready to negotiate with the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) to seek peaceful solutions based on the official election results in order to avoid any post-poll crisis." The statement came after opposition CNRP's long-time leader Sam Rainsy has repeatedly demanded the CPP to jointly establish an independent committee to look into alleged vote irregularities during the July 28 parliamentary election. The opposition wants a poll probe committee that excludes the participation from the National Election Committee (NEC), which is accused of being loyal to the CPP, but the CPP said such committee is against the constitution. NEC has released the initial election results, showing that the CPP won the poll with 68 of the 123 parliamentary seats, and the CNRP took the remaining 55 seats. But the CNRP claimed that it should win 63 seats, with the CPP getting the remaining 60 seats if alleged poll irregularities were fairly resolved. Rainsy on Thursday set Sept. 7 for a massive nonviolent protest against the election results if the CPP did not agree with its request of an independent poll irregularity probe committee. In a CNRP's statement on Sunday, it said that the forthcoming massive demonstration would be held in a peaceful and nonviolent manner, so it instructed its supporters not to bring along with explosives, knives, axes or clubs, stones or other devices that could cause any serious accidents. Early Sunday, some 2,000 anti-riot police equipped with shields and batons got a special training session at the capital's Diamond Island Center in preparation for dealing with any disorder protests. The Cambodian government on Sunday also appealed to the people to remain calm and make their living as normal although the opposition announced to stage the massive protest. In a statement, the government also called on all authorities and competent armed forces at all level to carefully implement their respective duties with high responsibility and adherence to the laws. "In carrying out these duties, the authorities and competent armed forces must associate themselves to the highest standard of morality, virtue, patience and strictly observe the laws avoiding at all cost of potential clashes," the statement said. The government also advised foreigners living in Cambodia to keep reasonable distance from all protests related to the election. Currently, the Constitutional Council, which is the country's final arbiter, has been resolving complaints filed by the opposition party against the election results, but the opposition accused the Constitutional Council of being loyal to the CPP. The official election results will be officially released on Sept. 8. Under the country's constitution, a new parliament will be inaugurated no later than 60 days after the election. Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that a new parliament and a new government would be established as scheduled despite the opposition's boycott. According to the constitution, he said, a new government would be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament. Hun Sen, 61, who has been in power for 28 years, will rule the country for another five years through the election victory.