US Observers Voice Concern

The International Republican Institute, a US-based democracy building group, said Wednesday that it is withholding final judgment of the elections because of concerns about possible fraud, intimidation and violence. 

“IRI is deeply concerned about allegations of vote fraud and condemns the continuation of violence and intimidation against members of opposition parties,” the group’s statement said.

The two-page statement of “post-election observations and recommendations” came just two weeks after the IRI gave their stamp of approval on the vote and counting process.

The group called for an independent panel to in­vestigate election complaints and allegations of post-election intimidation. The body should report to the Cam­bodian government and the in­ternational community, IRI said.

IRI called for immediate ballot recounts in Kompong Thom and Siem Reap. “Changes in the official vote tally results from ballot recounts for communes in Ta­keo, Kompong Speu and Pursat indicate that a full recount of ballots in the provinces of Kompong Thom and Siem Reap may yield a change in the election results for those areas.”

The NEC on Tuesday completed its eighth recount, saying all had yielded minor discrepancies.

IRI also said independent law experts should investigate the change in the formula used to allocate parliamentary seats. The controversial change gives the CPP a majority in the 122-seat parliament. The NEC said the formula was never changed.

In its statement, IRI noted seven “observations” and allegations that continue to be bothersome. Those include:

• Opposition activists fearing for their security.

• The NEC change in the seat formula “with a blatant lack of transparency and on questionable legal grounds.”

• Hundreds of complaints alleging election irregularities.

• Some ballot recounting on July 27 and 28 in absence of party agents and observers.

• “Disorganization and obstruction” by some NEC officials that delayed or prevented ballot re­counting.

• Unexplained delays in delivering ballots from some areas including Phnom Penh.

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