Cambodia opposition rejects poll results, warns to call mass protest

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) - The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) on Sunday rejected the final election results that handed victory to the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of long-ruling Prime Minister Hun Sen.

"The CNRP has no surprise over the election results released today and the party's stance is still the same - we do not recognize the results since they do not reflect the will of Cambodian people," the party's president, Sam Rainsy said in a press conference at the party's headquarters in Phnom Penh.

CNRP's Vice-President Kem Sokha still insisted that an independent poll irregularity investigation committee must be formed, or the party would call a three-day mass protest.

"We will stage a massive non-violent demonstration for three consecutive days on September 15, 16, 17 and then, we will boycott the first session of the National Assembly if our demand is not met," he told the press conference.

He also called on the country's King Norodom Sihamoni to help mediate a top leaders' meeting between the two parties in order to find a peaceful solution to the contested election results.

The King is currently in Beijing for routine medical checkup.

The nation held a general election on July 28. The National Election Committee (NEC) released the final results on Sunday, showing that the CPP got 68 seats and the CNRP took the remaining 55 seats.

However, the opposition claimed that its party should win 63 seats, with the CPP getting 60 seats if alleged poll irregularities were fairly resolved.

Under the kingdom's constitution, a new National Assembly will be inaugurated no later than 60 days after the election day.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that his party has enough lawmakers to override any opposition parliamentary boycott and form a new government.

He said, according to the constitution, 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 ruled the country for 28 years, will stretch his power for further five years through the victory.

Security forces and armored vehicles have been deployed around the capital since early last month after the opposition threatened to call mass demonstrations.