As many as 220 observers from 52 countries will monitor general election in Cambodia on July 29, heard a media briefing in Phnom Penh on July 24.

At the media briefing. (Source: Reuters/VNA)

According to the National Election Committee, most of the observers are from China, Indonesia, and several international organizations.

Other countries sending representatives to observe the election include Myanmar, Singapore, Vietnam, Pakistan, Timor Leste, the Philippines, Brunei and Thailand.

More than 80,000 observers from 20 political parties and 1,036 others from domestic associations and organizations across 25 cities and provinces nationwide are also expected to monitor the election.

The 2013 election saw a total of 266 international observers from 37 international organisations and foreign embassies, including those from the U.S., Australia and Sweden.

Ealier, the Cambodian foreign ministry announced on July 23 it was “utterly dismayed” by a comment made by United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia Rhona Smith, who had raised concerns over alleged voter intimidation and commended the legality of abstention ahead of national polls.

“The timing and motivation of her remarks merit several questions due to their substantive bias and prejudice in the context of electoral sensitivity,” a spokesperson said in a letter on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

“Fair and objective observation of the electoral process should underline the nature of an unhealthy opposition which aims to disrupt the hard-earned peace, political stability and development in Cambodia.”

Cambodia is scheduled to hold the general election for the 125-seat parliament on July 29.

Twenty political parties will contest in the election, which will see some 8.38 million people cast their ballots, according to the NEC. The 20-day election campaign began on July 7 and will end on July 27./.

VNF