The Ministry of Interior yesterday released a letter asking the Supreme Court to dissolve nine small parties for violating the Law on Political Parties, as the National Election Committee (NEC) announced that Senate elections will be held on January 14.

The letter from Sar Kheng to Supreme Court Chief Justice Dith Munthy says the parties were not in line with the law as they had not submitted their annual reports to the Interior Ministry.

“In this case, the Ministry of Interior suggests His Excellency Dith Munthy to kindly check the lawsuit asking to dissolve the 9 political parties as described above,” the letter reads.

NEC spokesman Hang Puthea said the dissolution was procedural and the committee would take action only after a verdict.

Separately, in a memo obtained yesterday, the NEC set Senate elections for January 14 and noted that the number of senators will increase from 61 to 62, on account of Preah Sihanouk gaining a seat.

Currently, the Cambodian People’s Party holds a resounding majority of 46 seats to the opposition’s 11 seats, with the four other seats nominated by parliament and the King.