Three small political parties, which won zero seats in 2018 general elections, officially formed the "Alliance of Khmer Democrats" on Wednesday, aiming to better perform in the 2022 commune elections and 2023 general elections.
The parties include the Beehive Social Democratic Party (BSDP), Khmer National United Party (KNUP), and Khmer United Party (KUP).
The alliance is headed by BSDP's president Mam Sonando, with KNUP's president Nhek Bun Chhay assuming the role of deputy head and KUP's president Kem Rithisith serving as a member.
Speaking at a press conference in Phnom Penh, Sonando said the alliance will not act as an opposition to the government, but instead mobilize the voice of the democrats in upcoming elections.
Under the alliance, the three parties will contest elections jointly and put up only one list of candidates for each province, he said.
For example, if the BSDP stands for elections in Kandal province, the parties in the alliance do not have the right to stand in this province and all activists have to vote for the BSDP, he said.
In the 2018 general elections, the Cambodian People's Party won all 125 parliamentary seats.