Cambodian ruling party wins majority in local election

PHNOM PENH, May 17 (Xinhua) -- The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won majority in local election held on Sunday to select the members of the new provincial, municipal and district councils, according to preliminary result announced by the National Committee of Election (NEC) on Monday.
CPP won over 75 percent of members of councils of provinces and municipality, and has also won over 74 percent of members of councils of district and cities, Im Suosdey, chairman of NEC, announced at the press conference.

The largest opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) won over 20.49 percent of members of councils for provinces and municipality, while over 20.58 percent in districts and cities, he said.

Meanwhile, co-ruling Funcinpec party won over 2 percent in provinces and municipality, and over 2.36 percent in districts and cities, while Norodom Ranaridhh Party (NRP) won over 1.85 percent and 2.33 percent respectively for the members of the new provincial, municipal and district councils.

The local election, lasted only one day, were carried out smoothly and peacefully, Tep Nytha, secretary general of NEC, told news conference Sunday. Final official results could be made public on May 29, according to the NEC.

There are only 11,353 members of commune councils have rights to vote for, while most of them from the CPP. Altogether four parties participated in the election, namely the major ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), the major opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), the co-ruling Funcinpec Party and the opposition Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP).

Tep Nytha said that the election was very important because the new provincial, district and municipal councils would govern within their territory according to the government's policy of promoting democratic development.

The Interior Ministry has arranged more than 13,000 police and military police force to ensure peaceful balloting.