Rainsy to See King, Start Election Protests

The Sam Rainsy Party is planning nationwide demonstrations to protest against the election re­sults, as the party’s leader meets King Norodom Sihanouk today in Siem Reap to discuss options for the next government.

“I will speak on general matters with far-reaching political implications,” Sam Rainsy said Tuesday. “I will raise with him the probable scenarios that are facing this country.”

He said he would seek the King’s version of a recent meeting between the monarch and Sec­­­ond Prime Minister Hun Sen shortly after the election, where the King reportedly told Hun Sen he would support a coalition government of all three parties in the National Assembly.

“I wish to hear from the King himself what he would like to tell me,” Sam Rainsy said. “I don’t rely on other people’s reports. I want to seek the guidance of the King.”

The party also will commission opinion polls to compare how voters said they voted with actual election results, he added.

With the National Election Committee no longer considering election complaints, Sam Rainsy’s only legal option is to take his outstanding grievances to the Constitutional Council. But Sam Rainsy doubts the Council will be fair.

In response, he has planned a series of demonstrations around the country to show public support for his refusal to accept the election results. The first demonstration is scheduled for this weekend in the capital, but no details have been set.

The party is planning to gather evidence from voters to support its complaints. Sam Rainsy cited villagers in Siem Reap who have offered to thumbprint a statement saying they voted for the party.

In one commune where NEC results show he received 300 votes, Sam Rainsy claims to have more than 3,000.

Sam Rainsy has been discussing election complaints, from recounts to the formula for allocating seats, with diplomats and members of the international community, a statement from the party said Tuesday. But the party president said he won’t raise those issues with the King.

“I would not bother him with technical matters,” he said.

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