AKP, October 11, 2017 –Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen said there are so many political parties in Cambodia and the country is a paradise for them.
If a political party is dissolved, there will be five political parties to replace it, therefore there will be six political parties at the National Assembly (NA) instead of only two [currently], said Samdech Techo Hun Sen while visiting over 14,000 factory workers and employees at Veng Sreng area in Sangkat Chom Chao, Khan Por Senchey, Phnom Penh this morning.
The premier made the comments after the Ministry of Interior filed a complaint to the Supreme Court of Cambodia asking for the dissolution of the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) after its President H.E. Kem Sokha was accused of conspiracy with foreign power to harm the nation.
Forty-nine (49) lawmakers have recently signed a request for the amendment of four existing laws – the Law on Election of Members of the National Assembly, Law on Election of Members of the Senate, Law on Election of Capital/Provincial, Municipal/District/Khan Councils, and the Law on Election of Commune/Sangkat Councils.
H.E. Leng Peng Long, the NA’s Secretary General and Spokesperson, was quoted as saying by a local media that this proposed amendment was submitted to the NA’s Standing Committee yesterday. It will be discussed on Oct. 13.
The proposed amendment opens way for distribution procedure of seats of any political party that abandons its seats, is erased from the list or is dissolved by the Supreme Court to the political parties taking part in the election.
In Cambodia, there are in total 71 political parties, but only 47 of which have been registered at the Ministry of Interior. Early this month, the ministry has decided to remove 22 political parties from the official registration list for failing to fulfill their obligations under the Law on Political Parties.
By Khan Sophirom
