The Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) announced on Sunday it would mark its 67th anniversary and the kickoff to its election campaign in a widely broadcasted July 7 event in Phnom Penh.

The CPP announcement, signed by Say Chhum, vice president of the CPP’s permanent committee, and dated June 24, said all major party committees had been informed about the rally set to take place on Koh Pich.

“On that day, the party will rent private radio and TV stations in order to broadcast live from 6:50am to 9am . . . and we must ensure Prime Minister Hun Sen’s political speech, as president of the party, reaches everywhere.

“After he finishes his party speech, the campaign march at all levels and sectors will begin on their planned route,” he said.

The ruling party has its roots in the Khmer People’s Revolutionary Party, which hosted its first congress on June 28, 1951.

It has had various ideological and name changes over the years, christening itself the CPP and dropping most of its Marxist-Leninist positions as part of the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement.