Human Rights Party President Kem Sokha, along with his deputy, former lawmaker Keo Remy, were blocked from entering Phnom Penh’s O’Russei Market, where they planned to speak with vendors Wednesday, officials said.
“The market security guards blocked me and my deputy Keo Remy by closing the main entrance,” Kem Sokha said, adding that more than 500 HRP supporters were around the market campaigning at the time of the incident.
Kem Sokha said he also received information that vendors had been banned from leaving the market to meet him outside, at which time he requested intervention from the National Election Committee.
“I could not get through into the market to distribute leaflets,” he said. “This shows the election committee at all levels that a neutral party has no power or rights.”
NEC Secretary-General Tep Nytha said the HRP had not complied with election rules that require parties to inform market officials in advance and ask permission to campaign inside the market.
“HRP did ask us to intervene, but he did so as the incident was occurring,” Tep Nytha said.
Parties “must inform the market committee first,” he said, adding that all markets are state-owned.
O’Russei market chief Keang Lak said by telephone he closed the market entrance for security reasons, adding that the municipality had issued a statement informing parties not to campaign in some Phnom Penh markets, including Olympic, O’Russei and Central markets.
“[The party leaders] already abused City Hall’s order by campaigning around the market,” he said.
Keang Lak said he felt the campaigning would antagonize vendors, and he had their interests in mind when he closed the entrance.
Deputy Municipal Governor Pa Socheatvong could not be reached for comment.
