Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng on August 12 called on Cambodian citizens to refrain from violent response to the preliminary results of the fifth general election.

The results released by the National Election Commission (NEC) has affirmed the victory of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).

Sar Kheng said people’s calmness will enable the political parties and NEC to jointly solve their differences peacefully and adopt an acceptable solution towards the forming of the upcoming fifth Royal Government.

Earlier on the day, NEC announced that the total popular vote was 3,236,009 for the CPP and 2,945,676 for the main opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRPP), with the remaining going to six other parties.

NEC General Secretary Tep Nytha said any complaints against the results must be filed within 72 hours and the official results will be officially confirmed before September 8.-VNA