The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) said on March 11 that they failed to reach a joint statement on the election reforms after their talks on March 10.

The CPP said the main reason is that the CNRP insists the role of the National Election Committee (NEC) must be defined in the country’s Constitution and the appointment of its members must be approved by at least two-thirds of the 123 members of the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the CNRP said CPP’s refusal of its proposal which it described as a priority in the reform is the cause of the failure. The opposition’s statement stressed that it is willing to continue the dialogue with the CPP only if the latter accepts its requests.

The political dispute in Cambodia has persisted since the July election, the results of which showed that the CPP won 68 parliamentary seats against the 55 seats for the CNRP.

Claiming serious irregularities during the poll, the CNRP refused to accept the outcome, and has boycotted parliament and held many protests in order to demand the resignation of Hun Sen and a re-election.

The CPP, however, rejected the CNRP demand on a re-election.-VNA