Thursday, May 8, 2008Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
A high-ranking SRP official rejected the rumor indicating that the SRP plans to boycott the upcoming July general election. Eng Chhay Eang, SRP Secretary-general, told the Kampuchea Thmei newspaper over the phone that the rumors about the SRP planning to boycott the election are not true, and he said that these rumors are lies and they were spread to dishonor the SRP. The Kampuchea Thmei reported that, in spite of Eng Chhay Eang’s denial, one low-ranking party official indicated that the SRP held a secret meeting with major party officials to review the possibility of boycotting the 2008 general election. The low-ranking SRP official indicated also that there are 3 views raised during the meeting: (1) asking Sam Rainsy to boycott the election by not registering with the NEC, (2) asking Sam Rainsy to boycott during mid-election campaign, and (3) asking Sam Rainsy to boycott the election one day prior to the election. Tep Nytha, NEC secretary-general, said that the SRP boycott is the party’s prerogative, but he said that we should remember that there are many opposition parties, the SRP is not the only one and the SRP may regret it.
