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Cambodian opposition stages second big poll 'fraud' protest | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Thousands of Cambodians are protesting, for the second weekend in a row, against the ruling party's narrow election win in July. | Thousands of Cambodians are protesting, for the second weekend in a row, against the ruling party's narrow election win in July. |
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy said demonstrations would continue until vote irregularities were investigated. | |
Police used water cannons to disperse protesters who tore down barricades near the Royal Palace. | |
On Saturday, talks between Mr Rainsy and Prime Minister Hun Sen failed to resolve the political deadlock. | |
Analysts say Hun Sen, 61, faces one of the biggest tests of his 28-year rule. | Analysts say Hun Sen, 61, faces one of the biggest tests of his 28-year rule. |
The prime minister has repeatedly vowed to stay in power until he is in his seventies. | The prime minister has repeatedly vowed to stay in power until he is in his seventies. |
In the July vote, his People's Party (CPP) won 68 seats, compared with 55 for the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). | In the July vote, his People's Party (CPP) won 68 seats, compared with 55 for the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). |
The national election committee confirmed the results earlier this month. | The national election committee confirmed the results earlier this month. |
But Mr Rainsy and his followers accuse Prime Minister Hun Sen of rigging the vote. | |
With all state institutions - including the election commission - under the thumb of Hun Sen, protests are the only way opposition supporters can challenge the result, correspondents say. | With all state institutions - including the election commission - under the thumb of Hun Sen, protests are the only way opposition supporters can challenge the result, correspondents say. |
'Long live democracy' | 'Long live democracy' |
Up to 20,000 activists, workers and monks gathered in a public park in Phnom Penh under the watchful eye of riot police on Sunday. | |
Rural protesters were transported to the capital in large convoys of buses and trucks. | |
Marchers carried signs reading "Where is my vote?" and "Long live democracy". | |
Many also held lotus flowers symbolising peace in what organisers described as a protest based on Buddhist prayer. | |
The rally was planned to last three days, and Mr Rainsy warned more would follow until election irregularities were properly investigated. | |
"The demonstrations will continue if our demands are not met," he said. | |
"[People's] ballots were stolen and they are asking for justice." | |
The Ministry of Interior said Sunday's rally had to end by early evening, local media reports. | |
But many protesters defied the order and stayed in the streets, raising the prospect of a possible forced removal. | |
Around 200 demonstrators clashed with police near the Royal Palace, which had been sectioned off with barbed wire barricades and roadblocks. | |
Security forces used water cannons and smoke grenades to disperse the protesters, who threw rocks and shoes. | |
But most of the rally was peaceful, correspondents say. | |
On Saturday, Hun Sen and Mr Rainsy failed to reach an accord in talks brokered by King Norodom Sihamoni. Both sides are due to meet again on Monday. | On Saturday, Hun Sen and Mr Rainsy failed to reach an accord in talks brokered by King Norodom Sihamoni. Both sides are due to meet again on Monday. |
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