Initial results show CPP wins in Cambodia's Senate elections

The initial results of the first ever Cambodian Senate elections show that the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) has won major victory in the elections.

The statistics of the National Electoral Committee (NEC) indicated that CPP has won about 45 Senate seats out of 57, while the royal FUNCINPEC party gained 10 and the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) won two. The less-known Khmer Democratic Party (KDP) did not win any seat.

The polling for Cambodian Senate kicked off on Sunday morning across the country. Four political parties, the CPP, FUNCINPEC, the SRP and the KDP competed for 57 of the 61 Senate seats. The remaining four will be appointed by the National Assembly and the King.

About 11,000 legitimate voters of commune councilors and about 120 out of 123 parliamentarians were expected to cast their votes at 33 polling stations in eight constituencies of 24 provinces and municipalities.

This is the first time for the Senate to elect its members. The first mandate Senate's 61 members were appointed by the King or by the political parties in proportion to their seats in the lower chamber National Assembly.

Prime Minister Hun Sen cast his vote in Kandal's Takhmau district, about seven km south of the capital.

The election was not by universal suffrage. Only 11,261 commune councilors throughout the country and 123 parliamentarians are eligible to take part in the election.

The CPP has 31 seats in the current Senate, the FUNCINPEC has 21 and the SRP seven, with the remaining two appointed by the former King Norodom Sihanouk.

Source: Xinhua