Election Group: Victory Speech Premature

A democracy group said Friday a speech made by Prime Minister Hun Sen announcing ruling party victories in July's national polls marked typical electioneering and should not deter Cambodians from voting their conscience.

Hun Sen said Thursday the Cambodian People's Party was bound to win this year's national elections.

The outcome is ultimately up to voters, said Lee Sothearayuth, a program officer for the National Democratic Institute.

"It's not any individual, activist or politician who can define their fate, but only voters who can," he said.

At least one election monitor said the speeches could lead to suspicion of vote-tampering during the parliamentary polls.