Cambodia’s Sam Rainsy barred from running for office for 25 years
- The opposition figurehead has in recent days called on Cambodian voters to void their votes when they go to polling stations on Sunday
- Rainsy, who has lived in self-exile in France since 2015, was also fined US$5,000 for ‘being the ringleader’ in inciting voters to spoil ballots
Sixteen other senior opposition members and activists – who are in self-exile – were also removed from voting lists, banned from running for office for 20 years and fined US$2,500 each, according to documents released on Monday by the National Election Committee (NEC).
It is also illegal to obstruct the voting process or call for voters to spoil ballots.
Sam Rainsy, who was also fined US$5,000, was sued for “being the ringleader in instructing and inciting voters to destroy or spoil ballots”, the NEC ruling said.
He and his colleagues could also face criminal charges, according to the NEC.
In the past few days, Sam Rainsy has called on Cambodian voters to void their votes when they go to polling stations on Sunday.
Cambodia arrests two opposition members over ballot protest
“It gives Cambodians a way to call for genuine elections,” he tweeted on Monday.
Two party members were arrested on Friday and charged with inciting voters to spoil their ballots.
Another two activists were arrested on Monday on similar allegations, according to pro-government media outlet Fresh News.
Rights groups accuse Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades, of using the legal system to crush opposition to his rule.
Hun Sen is campaigning for re-election but is expected to pass on the leadership to his eldest son, Hun Manet, in the future.
Scores of opposition politicians have been convicted and jailed during his time in power.