Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Sbong Sarath will resign on April 17 to transition into a position on the provincial council of Prey Veng following this May’s council elections, he confirmed yesterday.

Sarath said his appointment to the Prey Veng provincial council would not be official until after the May 18 election, the results of which are largely a foregone conclusion, observers say, given only current commune council members are allowed to vote.

“It has not been declared yet because, based on the procedure, it isn’t until the council election finishes that [the King] issues a Royal decree to appoint and recognise [councillors],” Sarath said.

Koh Santepheap and Deum Ampil reported yesterday that CPP lawmaker Sar Sokha – son of Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng – would be taking Sarath’s place. When reached, Sokha said he had not received information about the matter.

Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak could not be reached yesterday.