PHNOM PENH, July 24, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's heir 
apparent insisted Monday on the legitimacy of elections his party won against 
no meaningful opposition, defying international criticism that the polls were 
neither free nor fair.

Hun Sen has ruled Cambodia for nearly 40 years -- stifling all real 
opposition, freedom of speech and democratic reform -- but has indicated 
recently that he will soon hand power to his eldest son Hun Manet.

The United States on Monday condemned the polls, in which the ruling 
Cambodian People's Party (CPP) is predicted to win all but five of 125 
parliamentary seats in the lower house.

But Hun Manet posted a triumphant message across multiple social media 
platforms hailing his party's victory.

"The Cambodian people have clearly expressed their wills through votes," he 
wrote.

"An overwhelming number have expressed support for the Cambodian People's 
Party." 

He thanked Cambodians "for choosing to vote, and especially for all the love 
and confidence in the CPP".

Official results will not be available for weeks, although the CPP claimed 
late Sunday to have won a "landslide" victory.

The small government-aligned royalist FUNCINPEC party, headed by Prince 
Norodom Chakravuth, is expected to take five seats -- giving the new 
parliament a patina of diversity after the CPP won every seat in the last 
election.

The disqualification on a technicality of the only viable opposition force, 
the Candlelight Party, meant there was no realistic outcome other than a big 
CPP win.

The United States said the elections were "neither free nor fair", pointing 
to "a pattern of threats and harassment against the political opposition, 
media, and civil society".

"These actions denied the Cambodian people a voice and a choice in 
determining the future of their country," US State Department spokesman 
Matthew Miller said in a statement on Monday.

He said Washington was preparing to impose visa restrictions on some 
individuals for undermining democracy, and halting some aid programmes.

- China praise -

Hun Sen has played off Washington's growing fears of Beijing in recent years, 
collecting huge sums in aid and Chinese foreign investment -- without any 
unwelcome demands for democratic reform.

On Monday the Chinese foreign ministry congratulated Hun Sen on his win in 
"successful elections" and said it looked forward to strengthening already 
close ties.

With the opposition virtually silenced, voters had few choices in the polling 
station -- although intentionally invalidating their ballot papers would have 
been one way to show dissatisfaction.

Authorities are investigating 27 people for inciting voters to spoil their 
ballots on polling day, interior ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak told AFP.

Election officials also banned exiled opposition figurehead and Hun Sen's 
longtime foe Sam Rainsy from running for office for 25 years for urging 
people to void their ballots.

During the counting AFP reporters witnessed a number of spoiled ballots -- 
later downplayed by the CPP -- but there was little chance of protests in a 
country entirely under Hun Sen's thumb.

On Monday, Phnom Penh was calm, with few people on the streets.

"The situation is normal, calm and good," 42-year-old newsstand vendor Khon 
Sokna told AFP.

Behind her, a number of English and Khmer-language newspapers flapped from a 
string, celebrating Hun Sen's victory at the polls.

"There is no problem at all," she said.

- 'Eased into position' -

In a country that was torn apart by genocide and war within living memory, 
many were grateful for the continuity Hun Sen represents, and his intention 
of passing on power to his son.

"Cambodia's new leader will be eased into the position, with the expectation 
that he will grow into the role," Sebastian Strangio, author of "Hun Sen's 
Cambodia", told AFP.

But Hun Manet lacks his father's connections or his political acuity, he 
said, leaving him little room to manoeuvre.

Ultimately Hun Sen would remain in charge, with little chance of substantial 
change, political analyst Virak Ou told AFP.

"I think his father will allow him to do some things that will not disrupt 
the patronage system," he said.

Shop owner Lon Mon, 52, voiced regret at Hun Sen's potential retirement. 

"But it is also good that his son will continue. We will support him," he 
told AFP.