The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party has rejected the government's announcement yesterday of a 68-55 election victory for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, citing mass irregularities.

In a press conference this morning at its office in Meanchey district, CNRP president Sam Rainsy gave the government, with the help of international community, until August 31 to resolve “widespread irregularities”.

“The CNRP does not recognise the result announced by the ruling CPP or the very similar NEC results. The information the CNRP has received so far is not acceptable,” he said.

“Fifteen per cent of voters — about 1.2 to 1.3 million — were unable to vote because of list irregularities. There were also about 1 million ghost names on the voter list and about 200,000 duplicate names.”

All matters must be resolved in order to respect “the will” of the people, he added.

“That’s why we require the technical working group comprising the CNRP, the CPP, the UN, the NEC, local and international NGOs to investigate and make a report about these irregularities. This must happen no later than August 31.”

He told the Post afterwards that many of the “main provinces” were still in dispute.

“Those where manipulation could easily be done,” he said. “But even in Phnom Penh, many had their names deleted. You don’t have to go very far.”

Rainsy also told the Post that he rejected suggestions that the CNRP had declared victory last evening in a statement that was later retracted.

“No, we didn’t — we have never declared victory,” he said .

“Every hour until now, we have received new information. So we have to take into account this new information in order to address our position.”