Exiles seek global scrutiny of Cambodian political crackdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — Political exiles and Western governments are raising concerns about whether Cambodia's elections this weekend will be free and fair.

Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party has banned the main opposition party, jailed its leaders and other critics and shut independent media outlets.

Opposition politicians in exile in the United States, Australia and elsewhere are using social media to urge voters to embrace a "clean finger campaign" and boycott Sunday's elections. In Cambodia, voters must dip their fingers in ink after casting ballots.

Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party says the government isn't hurting "real democracy" but is instead rooting out "fake democracy."

In March, the U.S. said it was withholding millions of dollars in funding for Cambodia to ensure U.S. funds aren't supporting "anti-democratic behavior."

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