[ad_1]
PHNOM PEHN, Cambodia – With the main opposition silenced, Cambodians voted Sunday in an almost certain election to return to power Prime Minister Hun Sen and his party who have been in power since more than three decades. Although 20 parties vie for polls, the only one with popularity and organization to mount a credible challenge, the Cambodian National Rescue Party, was dissolved last year by the Supreme Court. Its leaders have called on supporters to boycott polls, accusing them of being neither fair nor free.
In addition to fracturing the political opposition, Hun Sen's government also silenced the critical voices in the media and ordered the temporary stalling of the elections. 17 websites, citing regulations prohibiting the media from broadcasting information that could affect security. The blocked sites included those of the US-funded Voice of America, as well as local media.
Hun Sen, whose 33-year rule makes him the oldest national leader in the world, has promised peace and prosperity. Friday's campaign day, but attacked the boycott appeal of the opposition and called those who listened to it "the destroyers of democracy". Hun Sen and his wife voted south of the capital shortly after the polls opened.
The ruling Cambodian People's Party was alarmed by the last legislative elections of 2013, when the race was close enough won, except for the manipulation of the voter registration process.
Hun Sen, 65, said he intended to stay in power for at least two five-year terms
. During his successful five-year war to overthrow a pro-American government, he defected to Vietnam during the genocidal regime of Khmer Rouge Pol Pot 1975-79 that left nearly 2 million dead. He became prime minister in 1985 in a one-party communist government supported by Vietnam and led Cambodia through a civil war against the Khmer Rouge, which faded with the Paris Peace Accords of 1991 which also established a democratic political framework.
Leader Sam Rainsy made a final appeal to Cambodians urging them not to vote. On his Facebook page, he said that the misleading election was destroying Cambodia's future and calling Hun Sen "a real traitor".
Hun Sen met with foreign election observers on Saturday, including those from Russia, China, and Indonesia. The United States, the EU and Japan have refused to send election observers, saying the election was not credible.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that inclusive elections in Cambodia where civil society and political parties exercise their democratic rights are essential to safeguard the country's progress in consolidating peace.
Last week, the US Congress passed free and fair elections, political freedoms and human rights in Cambodia and imposed sanctions on Hun Sen's relatives. "
This measure, which strongly condemns the Hun Sen regime, would prevent the persons designated by President Donald Trump from the property or property they may possess." Hun Sen, several members of his close family and a dozen senior officials and military officers were among those who should be punished.
Cambodian officials and ruling party members rejected this measure as counterproductive interference in Cambodia's affairs. 19659003] About 8 , 3 million people are registered to vote, polls close at 3 pm and preliminary results are expected Sunday evening.
___
Associated Press writer Grant Peck in Bangkok contributed to this report
Source link
