Three parties – the Cambodian People’s Party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party and Funcinpec – were registered for the May 18 municipal, district and provincial council election as of Saturday, according to the National Election Committee.

“As the deadline will close on March 3rd, I think only three political parties will contest the upcoming election,” said NEC secretary general Tep Nytha.

As of last week, the CPP submitted candidates for 24 provinces and Phnom Penh, the CNRP did so only in eight provinces, while Funcinpec did so only in Kampong Cham.

“We are in the process of preparing candidates to all provinces that we have commune council members, except Kep,” CNRP spokesman Yem Ponharith said yesterday.

Cheam Yeap, CPP senior lawmaker, confirmed that the party was registered, had listed candidate for all provinces, and was “ready for the election”.

Observers have criticised the election as “undemocaratic” as voting is only open to current commune council members.