PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) said yesterday that it won a general election that rights groups said was neither free nor fair.
With no real opposition to speak of, Prime Minister Hun Sen was widely expected to win. But critics called the election a sham because of a campaign of intimidation by Hun Sen and his allies against critics and the dissolution of the main opposition party last year.
CPP spokesman Sok Eysan said his party won an estimated 100 out of 125 parliamentary seats.
"The CPP won 80 percent of all the votes and we estimate we will win not less than 100 seats," Sok Eysan said.
Results from across the country were still being announced by the National Election Commission last night. Official results aren't expected until mid-August.
Although 20 parties contested the polls, the only one with the popularity and organisation to mount a credible challenge, the Cambodian National Rescue Party, was dissolved last year by the Supreme Court.
Its leaders had called urged a boycott.
Exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy said: "For the Cambodian people, unable to make a real choice because of the absence of the CNRP, the result of this false election conducted in a climate of fear is a betrayal of the popular will.'' Agencies
