The stalemate could result in a boycott of the first National Assembly meeting two months from now by the opposition, making the formation of a new government legally impossible.
Election monitors say a test of election ink that found it easily washable, and therefore a concern for fraudulent voting, was made in the spirit of transparency, and not to create “turmoil” ahead of Sunday’s polls.
The ink allegations add to worries that Election Day will not be free and fair for Cambodia’s more than 9 million registered voters.
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy appears unlikely to be a candidate in Sunday’s election, but election observers say there is a chance he will have a role in politics.
This year’s election is especially concerning, because both the ruling Cambodian People’s Party and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party are expecting major turnouts.
The CPP won the 2008 elections handily, securing 90 of 123 National Assembly seats.
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy is expected to return to Cambodia on Friday, but he will so far not be allowed to run for office in the July 28 elections.
Experts say the withdrawal of US aid is a tricky matter, that’s because the US is seeking more support across Asia, in the midst of widening Chinese influence in the region.
Sam Rainsy’s pardon last week came amid mounting criticism of this year’s election process, which critics say is not meeting international standards.
Protesters came from at least 10 states across the country and included not only Cambodian-American citizens, but Buddhist monks, Khmer minorities from Vietnam and Montagnards.
House Representative Steve Chabot said Tuesday that he planned to introduce a bill that is complimentary to a Senate bill that ties the election and aid.
Tuesday’s hearing was a rare chance for defenders of Cambodian rights and democracy to speak before US Congress.
Cheam Yiep, a lawmaker for the Cambodian People’s Party, told VOA Khmer that the CPP will continue to follow a strategy that introduces international standards as the nation develops.
Lawyers for five opposition activists say they are preparing a defense for their clients, who are accused of illegally transporting protected timber, in what their supporters say are politically motivated charges ahead of July’s national elections.
Officials at the Ministry of Information, which circulated the ban, gave no explanation for lifting it, but they said broadcasts had returned to normal Sunday.
The ministry orders “all FM stations” to suspend “rebroadcasting from all foreign radio stations that broadcast in Khmer language” in the 31 days preceding nationwide parliamentary elections.
Sou Met, who commanded the Khmer Rouge air force, was accused of major atrocity crimes as a ranking member of the regime.
Cambodians living in the US and Canada say the upcoming elections in their home country should emulate the democratic process of the West.
The request was made to Prime Minister Hun Sen by lawyers for civil party participants at the tribunal.
The UN suspended Cambodia’s seat in 1997, following a violent coup by the Cambodian People’s Party, which put Prime Minister Hun Sen in power.
ព័ត៌មានផ្សេងទៀត
