Less than a week before a registration deadline for next year's national elections, US Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli was set to observe the process in Phnom Penh, urging those who have not yet signed up for the polls to do so.
"Every Cambodian should be proud to exercise his or her right to vote," the ambassador said in a statement announcing his plans. "Cambodia has boasted strong voter turnout in the last three national elections. Now is the time to register and show the world that all Cambodians are keen to choose their leaders."
Mussomeli "will observe the commune clerk, commune chief, and commune council members as they receive the registration applications of potential new voters," the embassy said. "As an international observer, the ambassador will join other [National Election Committee]-approved observers and party agents in reviewing the registration process."
Cambodians have until Saturday to register.