Cambodian opposition party rejects Sunday's election results

The main opposition party Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) on Monday rejected the preliminary results of Sunday's general elections, claiming "serious irregularities".

"We cannot accept the results. The results do not reflect people's will," CNRP's leader Sam Rainsy told a press conference. "The party calls for the establishment of a joint committee in order to investigate the irregularities."

The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen announced late Sunday that it won an "absolute majority seats" in Sunday's general elections.

"The CPP would like to express gratitude to all compatriots for voting for the party to lead the country for another five years," it said.

The preliminary results showed that the ruling CPP gained 68 seats and the opposition CNRP got the remaining 55 seats in the elections, Khieu Kanharith, spokesman for the government and the CPP, told Xinhua on Sunday evening.

The official results from the National Election Committee are still unavailable.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power for 28 years, will extend his power by another five years following Sunday's victory.

According to the constitution, the first session of the new National Assembly will be convened no later than 60 days after the elections.