The National Election Committee (NEC) has rejected a request from opposition parties to meet and discuss procedures related to the upcoming national elections in July, saying it does not have the time.

Kem Sokha, deputy president of the newly formed Cambodian National Rescue Party, and opposition Sam Rainsy Party President Kong Korm had written to the president of the NEC on Tuesday and asked for a meeting next week.

The response came back quickly.

“NEC will not meet because there are a lot of parties and organisations requesting and sending letters to [NEC]. [So] if we meet one by one we don’t have any time,” NEC Secretary- General Tep Nytha said.

Nytha said all political parties and organisations had to submit written recommendations for procedural matters or concerns related to the national election.

Once received, Nytha said the NEC would appoint a committee to review all of them.

To contact the reporter on this story: Meas Sokchea at [email protected]