Cambodia opposition figure calls upcoming election a 'sham'

FILE PHOTO: Supporters of the opposition party, Candlelight Party, wave flags as they take part in a campaign rally for the upcoming local elections on June 5, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia May 21, 2022. Picture taken May 21, 2022. REUTERS/Prak Chan Thul/File Photo

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Prominent Cambodian opposition figure Sam Rainsy on Friday denounced the upcoming general election as a "fake and sham" after the country's the sole opposition party was disqualified from the race this week.

The Candlelight Party was disqualified by the election commission on Monday over what the poll body said was failure to submit proper registration documents, a move critics have said threatens to undermine democracy and political freedoms in the Southeast Asian country.