Opposition leader Sam Rainsy led about 300 supporters in a demonstration Saturday morning, claiming the National Election Committee was a tool of the CPP in the conduct of the commune elections earlier this month.
Demonstrators gathered in front of the National Assembly, walked past the Independence Monument and finished at NEC headquarters at the Ministry of Interior. They carried placards with slogans referring to NEC Chairman Cheng Phon as “Chief of Election Thief.”
The party is demanding a recount in six communes in Phnom Penh: Tuol Svay Prey I, Tuol Tumpong I, Tuol Sangke, Choam, Kandaol Chrum and O’Russei IV. It is also demanding a revote at the Angkor Borei commune in Takeo province.
In the Phnom Penh communes, the votes were close. In previous recounts in such communes, ballots previously considered invalid were found to be valid Sam Rainsy Party votes, the opposition leader said.
Some candidates at Saturday’s protest claimed their complaints had gone unheard by the NEC. Chhit Sarith, a Sam Rainsy Party candidate at Phsar Thmei II, said the CPP had been allowed to put flags and logos inside the polling station on election day.
“I filed a complaint with the NEC on February 5, but no action was taken,” he said.
Not all candidates reported problems, however. “At my polling station…there was no problem at all,” said Chhot Mom, of the O’Russei II commune in Phnom Penh. “I came here today for a party, after receiving an invitation.”
But she added her party would have received at least one more seat if more monks had voted. Monks should be allowed to register at the pagoda where they stay, rather than having to go back to their home provinces, she said.
But there would be no more recounts, NEC spokesman Prum Nhean Vichet said.
“We have already solved [Sam Rainsy’s] complaints,” he said. “Why is he complaining again?” These complaints do not have enough basis.”
