Opposition lawmaker candidate Sam Sundoeun has withdrawn from the National Assembly election race because he is unable to afford to campaign, he told the Post yesterday.

The former Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker, who held a position in the National Assembly from 1997 to 2003, said he quit as a Cambodia National Rescue Party candidate for Phnom Penh constituency on Sunday.

“I lack the resources [to campaign]. I would like to ask for reformation in the [party’s] leadership,” he said, declining to explain precisely what reforms he sought.

CNRP spokesman Yem Ponharith declined to comment yesterday, saying he had yet to see Sundoeun’s resignation letter.

National Election Committee Secretary General Tep Nytha said that under the law, candidates may not be replaced once a party’s candidate list has been submitted.