PHNOM PENH, May 14 (Xinhua): Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Sunday called on main opposition party supporters to avoid protests as the kingdom is hosting the 32nd South-East Asian (SEA) Games.
Running on May 5-17, the biennial multi-sport event has brought together a total of 10,890 athletes, coaches, arbitrators and officials from 11 Southeast Asian countries.
In a special voice message, Hun Sen warned that any attempts to destroy the kingdom's security, public order and reputation would not be forgiven.
"I'd like to call on the Candlelight Party supporters to keep calm and avoid gatherings at the appeal of the Candlelight Party leaders," he said.
The prime minister's remarks came a day after the Candlelight Party issued a statement urging its supporters across the country to get ready for peaceful protests if the National Election Committee (NEC) refused to recognize the party for the general election in July.
The NEC has not yet decided whether to recognize the Candlelight Party for the upcoming polls or not, as it suggested the opposition party to submit some more required documents.
The NEC said on Monday that 20 political parties had registered to contest in the forthcoming election. Eleven of them, including Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party, have been officially recognized, while nine others, including the Candlelight Party, are undergoing the examination process.
The Southeast Asian nation is scheduled to hold an election for the 125-seat National Assembly on July 23, and more than 9.7 million Cambodians have registered to cast their ballots. - Xinhua
