May 17, 2023
PHNOM PENH – The National Election Committee (NEC) has disqualified the Candlelight Party (CP) from contesting the upcoming general election, citing a lack of valid documentation.
NEC spokesman Khorn Keomono said the CP failed to fulfil one of the three main requirements: including original documentation proving their registration with the Ministry of Interior in their submission to the committee.
CP spokesman Kim Souphirith expressed disappointment with the NEC’s decision, claiming that CP – in the eyes of local and international observers – is the only party with enough public support to compete with the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).
“[CP] will file an appeal to the Constitutional Council, though he have little hope that they will do us justice,” he said on May 15.
In its May 15 notice, the NEC said it had validated the party and candidate registration documents of 18 parties. CP was the only party that failed to gain registration.