Published: August 3, 2013
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The two rival parties claiming victory in Cambodia’s
general election reached an agreement on Saturday with the state
National Election Committee for a joint investigation of polling
irregularities, but one side’s commitment soon appeared to waver.
Tep Nytha, the election committee secretary general, had announced the
agreement in principle after meeting with senior members of the
governing Cambodian People’s Party and the opposition Cambodia National
Rescue Party. Later in the day, the opposition party said it was not
ready to attend a session on Sunday to organize the investigating
committee.
In an e-mailed statement, the Cambodia National Rescue Party repeated
its desire for representatives from the United Nations and civil society
to be members of the committee, rather than just observers, as Mr. Tep
Nytha said would be the case. The committee, which is widely seen as
biased in favor of the Cambodian People’s Party — or at least unwilling
to challenge it — would also be part of the investigating body.
Prime Minister Hun Sen, in power for 28 years, has made clear that he
believes the final results of the July 28 election, due in mid-August,
will favor him and that he will have another five-year term in office.
With his overpowering influence over the state apparatus and the
judiciary, he is almost certain to have his way.
While the establishment of the investigative body is unlikely to have
any substantive effect, it could still benefit both parties.
If the body agrees that there were flaws in the election process, it
could initiate changes for which the opposition could take credit,
keeping its promise of fighting a long-haul struggle for democracy.
Mr. Hun Sen, for his part, could stake a claim of being willing to
compromise, giving the appearance of being reasonable rather than an
intransigent autocrat. The gesture might appease foreign critics like
the United States, which strongly called for such an investigation.
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