PHNOM PENH: Spokesperson for the National Election Committee (NEC), Hang Puthea, said that although the United States will not be sending officials to observe, Cambodia's general elections will proceed as planned this July. 

Puthea told EAC News on May 26, 2023, that each country has the right to participate in observing Cambodian elections or not, just as in the past when they allowed national and international observers alike. 

"If one or more countries do not participate in the observation, the election will go ahead as planned. All political parties and stakeholders in the election will deem the election results either acceptable or unacceptable," he said.

US Department spokesman Matthew Miller issued a statement on May 25, 2023 stating that the United States has no plans to send officials to observe the July elections after the Candlelight Party, the only main opposition, was denied permission to participate in the election. 

Puthea responded that the US statement did not undermine the progress of democracy in Cambodia, and that the NEC had just notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of its plans to observe the election in Cambodia alongside international observers.

The NEC rejected the Candlelight Party's application to participate in the election on May 15, citing insufficient paperwork. The party had twice submitted a photocopy of their original registration from 1998, which members say was lost during a 2017 raid. 

When the Candlelight Party filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Council to appeal the NEC decision on May 19, it was outright rejected as "illegal" without further explanation. 

Prime Minister Hun Sen spoke on the matter to a crowd of nearly 20,000 factory workers today, accusing the opposition of trying to get foreigners involved who wish to oppress Cambodia. He does not believe the Candlelight Party lost their registration document, but rather that they are trying to gain international attention. 

"I do not believe it is lost. It is with someone who is their target leader. I think they don't actually want their party to run in the election for fear of losing. They just want to bring foreigners in to oppress Cambodia," said the PM.