Cambodia's National Election Committee announced on May 15 that the Candlelight Party would not be allowed to participate in the July election because it did not provide sufficient valid registration documents, according to Reuters.
The Candlelight Party, formerly known as the Sam Rainsy Party, is a former opposition leader in Cambodia who now lives in exile abroad.
Supporters of the Candlelight Party campaign for elections in Phnom Penh in May 2022.
In 2012, the Candlelight Party and Kem Sokha’s Human Rights Party merged to form the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), but the party was dissolved by the courts in 2017. The Candlelight Party participated in local elections last June and won 22.25 percent of the popular vote, according to the Khmer Times . However, registration for the upcoming election has been hampered by a change in policy by the National Election Committee to only accept original documents.
“Some of our original documents were destroyed at the former CNRP headquarters, but during the commune elections, we submitted copies and they were accepted,” Candlelight Party spokesman Kimsour Phirith said earlier this month.
On May 12, the Candlelight Party announced that it would summon its leaders, party members, activists and supporters across the country to join a peaceful campaign in case it is unable to register to run for election.
Prime Minister Hun Sen on May 14 called on his party’s supporters to remain calm and not to be incited while Cambodia is hosting the SEA Games. The leader asked the authorities and armed forces to be ready to deal with those who disrupt public order.
Commenting on the disqualification of the Candlelight Party, Sok Eysan, spokesman for Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), said on May 15 that it was incorrect for the opposition party to submit copies of documents. Mr. Eysan also said that the upcoming election will be free, fair, and democratic with more than 10 parties participating.
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