Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen of ruling Cambodian People's Party shows off a ballot paper before voting for senate election at Takhmau polling station in Kandal province, southeast of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. Cambodia's ruling party is assured of a sweeping victory in the election of a new Senate after the only real opposition to it was eliminated. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
The Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Cambodia's ruling party is assured of a sweeping victory in the election of a new Senate after the only real opposition to it was eliminated.
The Senate has minor decision-making powers in Cambodian politics, but the foregone conclusion of Sunday's vote will be a foretaste of a general election in July sure to sustain the rule of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The only opposition party in Parliament, the Cambodian National Rescue Party, was dissolved in November after aggressive legal challenges by the government were sustained by the politicized courts.
Government supporters then replaced the party's parliamentarians and commune councilors - the voters in Sunday's indirect election.
National Election Committee spokesman Dim Sovannarum said preliminary results are expected to be announced Sunday after ballots are counted.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, center, of ruling Cambodian People's Party gestures after his voting in senate election at Takhmau polling station in Kandal province, southeast of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. Cambodia's ruling party is assured of a sweeping victory in the election of a new Senate after the only real opposition to it was eliminated. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
The Associated Press
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, center, of ruling Cambodian People's Party pose for a selfie with his party supporters after a voting in the senate election at Takhmau polling station in Kandal province, southeast of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. Cambodia's ruling party is assured of a sweeping victory in the election of a new Senate after the only real opposition to it was eliminated. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
The Associated Press
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, center, of ruling Cambodian People's Party speaks after his voting in the senate election at Takhmau polling station in Kandal province, southeast of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. Cambodia's ruling party is assured of a sweeping victory in the election of a new Senate after the only real opposition to it was eliminated. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
The Associated Press
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, of ruling Cambodian People's Party shows off his inked finger after voting for the senate election at Takhmau polling station in Kandal province, southeast of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. Cambodia's ruling party is assured of a sweeping victory in the election of a new Senate after the only real opposition to it was eliminated. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
The Associated Press
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen of ruling Cambodian People's Party prepares for voting in the senate election at Takhmau polling station in Kandal province, southeast of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. Cambodia's ruling party is assured of a sweeping victory in the election of a new Senate after the only real opposition to it was eliminated. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
The Associated Press