PHNOM PENH: The Constitutional Council held a plenary session chaired by its President, Im Chhun Lim, on the morning of July 3 to review the amendment of the election laws. By the afternoon, the council had unanimously approved the draft as being in accordance with the Cambodian Constitution before sending it to the King for official approval.

The draft law on amending the election laws was approved by the National Assembly on June 23 at the assembly’s 9th session, with all 111 members present voting in its favor. Later, the senate reviewed and gave unanimous approval of the amendment on June 29.

The Constitutional amendment bans those who do not vote or discourage others from voting from running for office in future elections. The new laws also permit the National Election Commission to dispense hefty fines to anyone seen as “obstructing the election process,” which includes other criminal offenses.

The amendment is expected to pass and be enforced before the upcoming general election on July 23, 2023.