Tensions rise during Cambodian elections

Monks clash with police officers who tried to release a National Election Committee employee - who was accused of denying people the right to vote - at a polling station in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, July 28, 2013.

Cambodians went to the polls for the fifth parliamentary election since 1993. 123 seats in the National Assembly were up for grabs to eight listed parties, with the main contenders being the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) and the leading opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) led by Sam Rainsy, recently returned to the country from exile.

On Monday, Rainsy rejected the results of the weekend election showing a win for the long-time ruling party, raising fears of post-poll instability and setting the stage for a new showdown with Prime Minister Hun Sen.

A police car is set on fire after clashes errupted with police officers who tried to release a National Election Committee employee in charge of a polling station during the Cambodian general elections in Phnom Penh, July 28, 2013.

A man is attacked by a mob in front of a polling station after being accused of striking a monk during an altercation between voters and the National Election Committee employee in charge of the polling station, July 28, 2013.

Cambodians wait to cast their ballots at a polling station in Phnom Penh, July 28, 2013.

Police escort a man during a mob attack in front of a polling station. The man was accused of striking a monk during an altercation between voters and the National Election Committee employee in charge of the polling station, July 28, 2013.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen casts his vote next to his wife Bun Rany (R) during the Cambodian general elections in Phnom Penh, July 28, 2013.

Hun Sen has been prime minister for 28 years. He was with the Khmer Rouge before defecting, and in 1985 was installed as prime minister by Vietnam, which had occupied Cambodia. With a reputation for cunning and ruthlessness, he insisted on being named co-prime minister despite his party losing the 1993 election, then ousted his partner in government in a 1997 coup.

Provisional results from Sunday's voting showed Sen's Cambodian People's Party won 68 seats, or a majority of 55 percent.

A Monk dips his finger in ink at a polling station after casting his ballot in Phnom Penh, July 28, 2013.

A man celebrates as he walks past burning police cars after clashes errupted with police officers who tried to release a National Election Committee employee in charge of a polling station during the Cambodian general elections, July 28, 2013.

A man accused of being Vietnamese is targeted by mob violence after clashes errupted with police officers who tried to release a National Election Committee employee in charge of a polling station, July 28, 2013.

Sam Rainsy, leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, visits a market in Phnom Penh, July 28, 2013.

Rainsy has called for an independent investigation into allegations that as many as a million people may have been deprived of their right to vote, among other irregularities.

A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Phnom Penh, July 28, 2013.

Cambodians look for their names on the registered voter's list at a polling station in Phnom Penh, July 28, 2013.

A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Phnom Penh, July 28, 2013.

People clash with police officers who try to release a National Election Committee employee in charge of a polling station during the Cambodian general elections, July 28, 2013.

A young man throws a rock at a police car after clashes errupted with police officers who tried to release a National Election Committee employee in charge of a polling station, July 28, 2013.

People celebrate after clashes errupted with police officers who tried to release a National Election Committee employee in charge of a polling station, July 28, 2013.

A young man throws a rock at a police car after clashes errupted with police officers who tried to release a National Election Committee employee in charge of a polling station, July 28, 2013.

People watch burning police cars after clashes errupted with police officers who tried to release a National Election Committee employee in charge of a polling station, July 28, 2013.