Phnom Penh (FN), July 24 - The Cambodian People's Party requested the National Election Committee (NEC) to take legal action against a former opposition party’s lawyer who appealed to the public to not go to vote.

“On July 17, 2018 and these days, Chuon Choungy, CNRP's lawyer based in Phnom Penh, is actively promoting people not to go to vote on 29 July 2018 through Facebook which violated Article 142 of the Law on Elections of Members of the National Assembly,” CPP's member lawyer Ky Tech told Fresh News Tuesday.

CPP requested the NEC based on the ground that the opposition's statement could mislead both the national and international public, leading to a lack of confidence in voting and an illegitimacy of institution. This misunderstanding, thus, will trigger protests against the authorities, which is a factor contributing to social insecurity, affecting public order and leading to national chaos.

According to Article 34 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, "Khmer citizens of both sexes have the right to vote and stand as candidates for the election in a multi-party democracy."

Appealing for people not to vote violates the country’s laws as evidently outlined in Article 142 of the Law on Elections of Members of the National Assembly, subject to a fine between $1,250 - $5,000 by the National Election Committee.
=FRESH NEWS