Prime Minister Hun Sen Monday called Sam Rainsy Party plans to hold separate elections for commune council posts a potential act of secession and warned the opposition party not to proceed illegally.
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy said last week he planned to hold local-level elections in communes where his party won seats in commune elections April 1.
"I heard they want to hold an election," Hun Sen said in a speech during an opening ceremony at a school in Phnom Penh. "Do they want a secession? How many states does Cambodia have?"
Party officials said the plan was legal, not secessionist.