Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (Photo: AFP/VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Hoursafter Cambodia’s Supreme Court ordered the dissolution of the opposition CambodiaNational Rescue Party (CNRP) on November 16, Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sendeclared that the general election in 2018 will take place as planned.
During a broadcast on statetelevision, PM Hun Sen called for restraint after the CNRP’s dissolution,saying that the upcoming election will be held normally.
Members of the opposition party whoare not banned from political activities can form a new party, he added.
The Cambodia Supreme Court orderedthe dissolution of the CNRP in response to the Interior Ministry's lawsuit. Thecourt ruling also bans 118 senior officials of the party from politics for fiveyears from the date of this verdict issuance.
The Supreme Court is the highest rungin Cambodia’s justice system, and once its decision is handed down, there is norecourse for appeal.
The Interior Ministry accused the CNRPof seriously violating the amended Law on Political Parties, saying the partyhad conspired with foreigners to topple the government. CNRP leader Kem Sokhawas arrested on September 3 on charges of treason while more than half of theparty’s leaders left Cambodia.
Cambodia’s senate election isscheduled to take place on February 25, 2018.
Founded in1999, the senate has 61 seats, but only 57 senators will be elected, as twosenators are appointed by King Norodom Sihamoni and the other two by theparliament's lower house.
In the lastelection held in January 2012, PM Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party won46 seats.-VNA
