Cambodians appear to have overcome pre-election violence and intimidation to independently demonstrate their political will, a joint US observer group said Tuesday.

They stood side by side like old friends in front of the world’s press—the deposed prime minister and the finance minister he once fired. First party colleagues, then bitter rivals and now allies once again, Prince Norodom Ranariddh and Sam Rainsy stood united against a common adversary Tuesday.

Angry Opposition Demands Recount

Opposition groups declared fraud and angrily demanded a recount Tuesday amid claims by the ruling CPP of a big victory.

siem reap town – The provincial chief of a top watchdog has blasted Sun­day’s polls here a “joke,” saying widespread intimidation and possible fraud in at least one district has rendered a “20 percent free and fair election.”

kompong cham town – When the village chief dropped by a restaurant here at 4:45 am Tuesday to drop off the results of Sunday’s poll, the owner was confused.

battambang town – The CPP appeared to have a clear lead here Tues­day, with the latest provisional results showing the party 19,000 votes ahead of second-place Funcinpec, with 10 communes still to declare.

kompong chhnang town – International observers in Kompong Chnnang this weekend were encouraged to spend as much time as possible at the bar.

After hours of heated debate, the Joint International Observer Group declared Sunday’s polling and Monday’s counting “free and fair” to the extent that it reflects “the will of the Cambodian people.”

Diplomats Say CPP Ahead in Tight Race

Confusion and uncertainty reigned Monday as Cambodians nervously awaited the results of Sunday’s historic national elections.

siem reap town – The only time Moeung Sen laughed was when she was told that police believe her husband was killed because he was a “witch.”

Ten cases of cholera have surfaced in Phnom Penh this month, but health officials cautioned Monday it is too soon to know whether there is an epidemic.

prek russei commune, Kandal province – A week ago, the CPP commune chief here boldly predicted the party would win at least 70 percent of the vote.

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

siem reap town – About 30 former Khmer Rouge civilians and soldiers arrived at the Siem Reap Military Airport on Monday, one day after a pre-dawn attack by alleged hard-line guerrillas left at least seven people dead and one infant badly burned.

kompong cham town – Inter­national observers Monday gave a mostly positive assessment of the commune vote count, while opposition parties complained of irregularities in remote areas where there were no foreign monitors.

siem reap town – Spotty radio communication and bad roads slowed early election results coming to Siem Reap vote counters, with most of the communes reportedly going to the CPP.

battambang town – With Fun­cinpec agents from just three districts returning their results to the party headquarters, Funcinpec candidate Prince Sisowath Sir­irath was reluctant to make predictions Tuesday afternoon.

Opposition figure Sam Rainsy blamed the National Election Committee’s decision to delay the release of preliminary results Monday night on pressure from the CPP.

takeo town – “Thirty-five,” a be­spectacled woman shouted out from the counting table, holding up the ballot for all to see. “Thirty-four,” a man shouted at the table next to hers.

A survey of prominent executives in Thailand said there is little belief Sunday’s election will boost investment in Cambo­dia, a Thai newspaper re­ported Sunday.