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Cambodian opposition renews protest warning

(Xinhua) 13:51, August 26, 2013

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PHNOM PENH, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy once again threatened to call nationwide demonstrations if an independent committee was not established to look into allegations of poll irregularities.

"We strongly insist the establishment of an independent committee to investigate election irregularities before the release of the final election results (on Sept. 8)," Sam Rainsy, president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), said in a press conference at the party's headquarters on Monday.

Rainsy insists that the composition of the proposed independent probe committee exclude the current National Election Committee ( NEC), seen as being loyal to the ruling Cambodian People's Party ( CPP) of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen.

However, the CPP has rejected the request, saying that no probe committee would be formed without the NEC's involvement because it was against the Cambodian law.

"If our request is not met, our last resort is nonviolent and peaceful protests throughout the country," Rainsy said.

The country held a general election on July 28. Initial election results showed that the ruling CPP won the election with 68 seats of the 123 parliamentary seats, while the opposition CNRP got the remaining 55 seats.

But the CNRP rejected the results, saying that it should win 63 seats, with the CPP getting the remaining 60 seats if poll irregularities were fairly resolved.

Soldiers, police and military police with armored vehicles have been deployed around Phnom Penh City since early this month after the opposition has repeatedly threatened to call mass protests.

Under the country's constitution, a new parliament will be inaugurated no later than 60 days after the election.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Aug. 2 that a new parliament and a new government would be established as scheduled despite the opposition's boycott.

According to the constitution, he said, a new government would be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament.

Hun Sen, 61, who has been in power for 28 years, will extend his power for further five years through the election victory.