Cambodia arrests two opposition members over ballot protest ahead of national election
- Ly Ry and Bun Kheit of the opposition Candlelight Party have been accused of ‘inciting people to destroy ballots’
- Scores of opposition politicians have been convicted and jailed during Prime Minister Hun Sen’s time in power
Two Cambodian opposition party members have been arrested for allegedly inciting voters to spoil ballots, officials said on Saturday, ahead of a national vote in which long-serving leader Hun Sen is effectively running unopposed.
Ly Ry and Bun Kheit of the opposition Candlelight Party were arrested on Friday for “inciting people to destroy ballots”, interior ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak said.
Authorities did not provide details on the allegations against the pair, but the spokesman said authorities had “enough evidence” against them.
The kingdom votes in a general election on July 23 with Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party running almost unopposed after the Candlelight Party, its main challenger, was barred from contesting on a technicality.
Candlelight Party spokesman Kimsour Phirith said he did not know when the two arrested officials issued the call to protest. “We are monitoring the case,” he said.