UNITED NATIONS, July 27 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called for a positive political atmosphere in Cambodia before Sunday's general elections.
As Cambodians prepare to go to the polls, the secretary-general said that an inclusive and pluralistic political process remains essential for safeguarding the progress made by Cambodia in consolidating peace, said Stephane Dujarric, Guterres' spokesman, in a statement.
The UN chief called on all political actors to reduce tensions and political polarization, according to the statement.
He called on the government to uphold international human rights standards and in particular to ensure guarantees for civil society actors and political parties to exercise their democratic rights, said the statement.
Guterres has reiterated the continued commitment of the United Nations to support a peaceful and democratic Cambodia that fully respects the human rights of all its citizens, it said.
Twenty political parties will vie for seats in the 125-seat National Assembly in Cambodia's general election on Sunday.
Political analysts predict that Prime Minister Hun Sen's party will win a landslide victory in the election.
