Four ruling Cambodian People’s Party National Assembly members, including the party’s spokesman, have resigned in order to stand as candidates in the upcoming Senate elections in February next year, and are set to be replaced by four other party members.

The National Election Committee (NEC) yesterday announced their resignation. Sok Eysan, one of those who resigned and a CPP spokesman, said it was a decision by the party.

“[We resigned] because of a request and obligation from the party . . . When you apply to be a Senate candidate, you need to resign from the National Assembly . . . We respect the nomination of the party under the control of the party”, he said.

Leng Peng Long, National Assembly spokesman, said the resignations and nominations were the party’s internal affairs. “The NEC checked that they are correct, so they sent them to the National Assembly,” he said.

The others who resigned are Hem Khorn, Mom Chhim Huy and Ay Khorn. The four seats will be taken by Sok Born, Ouk Damry, Dom Yuk Hean, and Poeu Samy.