Cambodian opposition protest enters second day, demanding snap election

Around 4,000 supporters of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) rallied at the capital's Freedom Park for the second day on Monday to push for a reelection due to allegations of serious irregularities in the July poll. CNRP leader Sam Rainsy called for the government led by Prime Minister Hun Sen to hold an early reelection. "If you dare not hold a reelection, step down," he spoke to the rally. After his speech, Sam Rainsy and about 2,000 protesters traveled by motorcycle through streets in the capital city. Security forces were deployed to the streets to ensure security and public order. There was no report of incidents during the protest march. The CNRP launched daily protests on Sunday in the capital to demand an early reelection within three months. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng has rejected the call for a reelection, saying it is impossible to hold a snap election in Cambodia because there was no reason and to hold a reelection would take at least one or two years. He said the ruling Cambodian People's Party's door remained open for further negotiations with the CNRP. Dispute between Hun Sen's ruling party and opposition leader Sam Rainsy's party has persisted since the July election results showed that the ruling party won a majority of vote with 68 parliamentary seats and the opposition earned the remaining 55 seats. The opposition refused to accept the outcome and boycotted parliament, calling for an independent probe into the alleged irregularities during the poll, but the ruling party rejected the call, saying it was against the nation's constitution. One of the protests in mid-September turned violent as protesters threw stones at police and the police retaliated with tear gas, smoke bombs, and water cannon. As a result, a protester was shot dead and several got wounded.