Authorities of Phnom Penh city allowed the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) to hold a mass protest at Freedom Park from September 15-17, but they forbade them to march or camp at the site.
The permission came after a September 11 meeting between the municipal authorities and CNRP representatives.
Long Dimanche, Phnom Penh City Hall spokesman, said the municipal authorities have allowed the CNRP to hold the protest in accordance with the law with the participation of less than 10,000 people from 6am to 6pm on the day.
But they are not allowed to camp out or stay there overnight, he added.
However, CNRP representatives who attended the meeting said that they will still uphold their decision to hold the protest and camp out all day and night for three days and there will be at least 20,000 protestors present.
According to Long Dimanche, the municipal authorities will consult the Ministry of Interior over the areas of disagreement with the CNRP.
Earlier, they allowed the CNRP to stage a nonviolent mass protest on September 7 with less than 10,000 people joining. However, the peaceful demonstration drew at least 20,000 opposition supporters.
The CNRP is holding the gatherings to protest the official result of the general election announced by the country’s National Election Committee (NEC) on September 8. According to the announcement, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) now holds 68 seats in the parliament while the CNRP takes the remaining 55.
The opposition camp demanded the establishment of a special committee to investigate and handle the irregularities.
Phnom Penh municipal Deputy Governor Khuong Sreng warned that the protestors will breach the law if they stay overnight at the park outside the permitted demonstrating times of 6am to 6pm.
International observers in Phnom Penh held that the opposition protest will fail to change the election results while sparking more concerns among people about political instability and social disorder in the country.
VNA
