The National Election Committee opened the registration process for political parties Monday, but only the ruling Cambodian People’s Party has so far signed up.
The 15-day registration period should see each party register its candidates for parliament, said NEC Secretary-General Tep Nytha.
Only political parties that have been recognized by the Ministry of Interior can register, he said, and registration will require the filing of internal party rules and a deposit of 15 million riel in the national bank.
The Ministry of Interior has said 45 political parties have been approved so far, up from 23 parties in the 2003 election.
The NEC estimates that only 20 parties will actually participate in this year’s election.
While the CPP has already sent its documents to the NEC, officials from the three other leading parties, Sam Rainsy, Human Rights, and Funcinpec, said they still had some documentation to complete.