A new team of border researchers at the Royal Academy of Cambodia yesterday called for relevant stakeholders to submit maps of the disputed Cambodia-Vietnam border, in what it says is an attempt to ensure no political party uses the thorny issue to its advantage in the 2018 elections.

The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party has made waves about disputes on the border in recent weeks, forcing the ruling Cambodian People’s Party to issue promises to resolve the issue.

Sok Touch, rector of Khemarak University and president of the new team, said all maps submitted would be considered.

“We want to know who is patriotic and who deems the maps to be inaccurate or accurate,” he said at a press conference.

Touch said the team had not yet received two highly publicised maps of the disputed areas: one requested by Prime Minister Hun Sen from three Western countries last week, and another purchased last month in Paris by an opposition senator for $168.

Although Touch said he welcomed cross-party cooperation, he slammed a request from CNRP lawmaker Om Sam An to suspend border demarcation with Vietnam until 2017-18, saying it was intended to take advantage of the sensitive issue ahead of the 2018 elections.