More than 50 representatives from civil society groups, the opposition, the United Nations, foreign embassies and legal groups gathered yesterday for a workshop aimed at producing concrete proposals for election reform to aid ongoing discussions between the two main political parties.

One key guest was missing.

No representative from the ruling Cambodian People’s Party turned up, despite members of both parties’ election reform working groups, and Ministry of Interior officials, having allegedly been invited.

“This is the independent stance of civil society, which is drafting election reform proposals for the two parties,” said Comfrel board chairman Thun Saray. “But a decision to accept it or not depends on the two parties.”

Interior Ministry Secretary of State Sak Sitha said he was unaware of the workshop.

“Several weeks ago, we receive [electoral reform] recommendations from Comfrel. Our stance is still committed to negotiations,” he said.