High Turnout in Most Provinces, NEC Says

Eighteen of 23 provinces and municipalities reported estimated turnouts of more than 90 percent in Sunday’s election, the NEC announced Monday.

Takeo was top of the list with 97 percent, followed by Prey Veng, Svay Rieng and Kandal provinces and Kep at about 95 percent, according to the figures.

Heavily contested Kompong Cham province, with 18 seats up for grabs, also had a little more than 95 percent.

Kompong Chhnang also had 95 percent, but 14 communes had not yet checked in, the press release said.

The semi-autonomous former Khmer Rouge stronghold of Pailin had the lowest estimated turnout at 77 percent, with the coastal zones of Koh Kong and Sihanoukville at 80 percent.

Phnom Penh, where there is easier access to voting booths and election information, had 90 percent turnout.

“This is not surprising,” CPP spokesman Khieu Kanharith said. “Ever since the 1950s, Cam­bodians have turned out for every election.”

Norinarith Ananda, spokes­man for deposed first prime minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh, said it was too early to comment on the figures. All the estimates are based on incomplete reports, the NEC cautioned.

Others total: Banteay Mean­chey, 90 percent; Kratie, 94 percent; Kompong Speu, 90 percent; Battambang, 90 percent; Mondol­kiri, 85 percent; Pursat, 93 percent; Siem Reap, 93 percent; Kom­pong Thom, 92 percent; Kampot, 91 percent; Preah Vi­hear, 93 percent; Rattanakiri, 85 percent; and Stung Treng, 90 percent.