[Myanmar] Cambodian Opposition Boycotts Parliament Over Vote

Sam Rainsy, president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party makes a point as he addresses reporters at his party’s headquarters in Phnom Penh in July. (Photo: Reuters / Pring Samrang)

PHNOM PENH — The Cambodian opposition boycotted the opening of parliament Monday over alleged widespread cheating in the July elections, putting the country’s political crisis at a critical juncture.

Empty seats dotted the National Assembly as 55 lawmakers elected from the opposition were absent, while 68 ruling party lawmakers attended the session.

Authoritarian Prime Minister Hun Sen was poised to continue his 28 years in power during a re-election vote scheduled for Tuesday’s session. He sat alongside other lawmakers during a swearing-in session and made no comment about the boycott.

The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party says it was cheated out of a victory because of electoral fraud. It had vowed for weeks to boycott parliament unless the government agreed to an independent probe of the July 28 election results.

The government rejected the demand of an independent probe, and King Norodam Sihamoni had urged the opposition to take its seats at the assembly, pointing to a constitutional stipulation that the assembly must be convened within 60 days of the election.

“The Cambodian nation must stand united,†Sihamoni told the half-empty assembly as he convened parliament. He did not mention the boycott but called for an “active and vigorous implementation†of legal and judicial reforms—among the many reforms called for by the opposition.

As the ruling Cambodian People’s Party Party swore in its lawmakers, the opposition held its own symbolic ceremony far from the capital at the sacred temple of Angkor Wat, in Siem Reap.

The opposition lawmakers took an oath not to participate in government until justice is delivered, said Son Chhay, an opposition lawmaker.

Talks last week between Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy failed to break the deadlock. Both sides agreed to seek a non-violent solution to the political crisis, following clashes and a shooting during an earlier demonstration that left one protester dead. They also pledged to work toward electoral reforms in the future.

Analysts say the question now is whether Hun Sen will cede ground to the opposition, and how the opposition will use its new clout—which includes an increase of 26 seats in the assembly.

Analysts are divided over the boycott strategy but say the election’s outcome shows a significant desire for change among voters.

Although Hun Sen is in a position to impose his will, a compromise would be in his interests to give his regime legitimacy, especially among foreign powers who have questioned the fairness of the polls.

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