Cambodian PM seeks Japan's help in electoral reform

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Saturday that the country has sought Japan's help in electoral reform. "I asked Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe to consider sending experts to join electoral reform in the future," he told a joint press briefing after meeting with Abe at the Peace Palace here. "Japan is the first country that Cambodia requested because we think that Japan is very mature in democracy and has much experience on election issues," he said. In a joint statement after the meeting, Hun Sen reiterated his resolve to make every effort to strengthen democratic institutions through electoral reform. Abe expressed expectation that the post-election situation in Cambodia would be normalized expeditiously through dialogue and cooperation among the parties concerned and nation building would be advanced on the basis of national reconciliation. He said Japan is ready to assist Cambodia with reform. Cambodia's election commission is widely seen as being loyal to Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP). The country held a general election in July with the CPP winning 68 of the 123 parliamentary seats, and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) led by Sam Rainsy getting 55 seats, but the CNRP refused to accept the result, claiming serious irregularities. Despite the opposition's boycott of parliament, the CPP lawmakers voted on Sept. 24 for the formation of a new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen. The opposition has called for an independent probe into the alleged poll irregularities.