Cambodians vote in general elections

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA (AA) - Cambodian voters on Sunday headed to the polls, which the Cambodian People's Party is likely to win as no viable opposition is contesting.

Polling stations across the Southeast Asian country opened at 7 a.m. local time (0000GMT) and are set to close at 3 p.m. (0800GMT).

Some 8.3 million people have registered to vote in the elections, Kyodo News Agency reported.

Besides the Cambodian People's Party, 19 other small parties are contesting. None of the other parties won a seat in the 2013 elections.

Last year, Cambodia's main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party was dissolved by a court order.

Sam Rainsy, a former leader of the CNRP now living in exile, has called for a boycott of the election, the news agency said.

However, Prime Minister Hun Sen has slammed the boycott and repeatedly urged people to show up for the ballot and vote for his CPP in recent campaign speeches.

Hun Sen has been ruling the country for the last 33 years.