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Cambodia approves new election laws

The Cambodian parliament has unanimously passed two controversial election laws in an attempt to ensure free elections and avoid the post-election political deadlock that has plagued Cambodia in recent years.
The Cambodian parliament has unanimously passed two controversialelection laws in an attempt to ensure free elections and avoid thepost-election political deadlock that has plagued Cambodia in recentyears.

The laws were supported by Prime MinisterHun Sen and Head of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP)Sam Rainsy since July 2014, bringing an end to the CNRP’s parliamentboycott.

The new election laws will be submitted to theCambodian Senate for final review before being passed to the legislativebranch and King Norodom Sihamoni for ratification.

According tothe new laws, the number of parliament seats will increase to 125 fromthe current 123 seats and the campaign period will be reduced from 30 to21 days. The laws also include restrictive provisions such as banningcivil social organisations and foreigners from organising electioncampaigns for any political parties.

In addition, any political party that chooses to boycott parliament will forfeit their elected seats under the new laws.-VNA
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