A governorship reshuffle will see Battambang provincial governor Prach Chan transferred to the newly created province of Tbong Khmum following council elections in May.

Prime Minister Hun Sen requested that the King appoint Chan to the position in a Council of Ministers meeting on Friday, according to a statement.

Chan Sophal, a provincial councillor in Siem Reap, will become Battambang’s new governor.

Tbong Khmum province was created last month by splitting Kampong Cham province in two. At the time, critics said the move could be an attempt to boost votes for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party in the next general election.

However Sak Setha, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Interior, insisted yesterday that the split was nothing out of the ordinary, citing the creation of Banteay Meanchey and Pailin provinces from Battambang.