Hun Manet, son of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen is seen at a polling station on the day of Cambodia's general election, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, July 23, 2023.
REUTERS/Cindy Liu/File PhotoPHNOM PENH, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Cambodia's election commission said on Tuesday that nearly half a million ballots were spoiled in the national election last month, which critics have called a sham as all opposition parties were barred from contesting.
About 440,000 ballots -- or every one in 18 -- were invalidated, the NEC said, adding the election had seen a high turnout of 85%.
Authorities had threatened voters with heavy penalties if they spoiled ballots or boycotted the election or urged others to do so.
Opposition figures and rights groups say Hun Sen has for years suppressed democratic institutions while cracking down on opponents and critics.
Persons:
Hun Manet, Cambodia's, Hun Sen, Cindy Liu, Prak Chan Thul, Kanupriya Kapoor, Simon Cameron, Moore
Organizations:
REUTERS, Cambodian People Party, NEC, Authorities, Thomson
Locations:
Phnom Penh, Cambodia, PHNOM PENH