Political violence on the rise

Political violence on the rise

CAMBODIA: Electoral violence is accelerating in the lead-up to local district polls and police investigations into the killing of candidates show "serious shortcomings", the United Nations said on Tuesday.

In a report on Cambodia's electoral process the UN said 15 political activists had been murdered "or have died in circumstances that are suspect".

Several candidates from the royalist Funcinpec and the Sam Rainsy Party, both of which expect to make strong gains on election day, have been killed in the lead up to the Feb. 3 vote for leaders of 1,600 communes, or village clusters.

Prime Minister Hun Sen told officials in Phnom Penh on Tuesday to crack down on violence and intimidation as the country nears its first ever local elections. --Agencies