The opposition Sam Rainsy Party will defy campaigning bans around Angkor Wat and in parts of Siem Reap, a provincial party leader said yesterday.

Sok Kimseng, deputy provincial council director of the SRP, said the bans, which the Siem Reap and Apsara authorities announced recently to ensure “public safety”, would limit their ability to reach voters before June 3 commune elections.

“For example, hundreds of Phnom Krom villagers want to hear our party’s policy,” he said.

Commune chiefs were pushing CPP “propaganda” in voters’ faces, he added.

“We don’t care about the announcement and will campaign because they have contravened the law,” he said.

Banned areas include national road 6, from the Sokha Hotel to the Royal Palace in Siem Reap; Angkor Wat; Angkor Thom; ticket-selling areas; Baray Toekthla and other temples.

Bun Tharith, deputy provincial governor, who approved the ban on national road 6, said so far no party had violated the ban.

“We issued this ban to keep safety and public order in the town,” he said.

Human Rights Party spokesman Pol Ham doubted campaigning was a security risk.

“I believe tourists actually want to see something strange and this election campaign is also an event that can attract tourists,” he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Chhay Channyda at [email protected]