Cambodia election sweep cements Hun Sen family's grip on power

Strongman's ruling party hit by claims of ballot buying and voter intimidation

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Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen drops a ballot paper into a voting box for Senate elections on Feb. 25. © AP

ANANTH BALIGA and MENG KROYPUNLOK, Contributing writers

PHNOM PENH -- The Senate election win by former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party on Sunday has cemented his family's grip on power and his son's premiership, after a vote that excluded the main opposition and was marred by allegations of voter intimidation.

The Cambodian People's Party's (CPP) comfortable victory will see 71-year-old Hun Sen sworn in as Senate president, six months after he stepped down from the prime minister's role and handed the top job to his son, ex-Army commander Hun Manet.

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