PHNOM PENH, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has invited all diplomatic missions and foreign non-governmental organizations to send their representatives to observe the commune elections to be held on June 4, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday.
Among the international observers are representatives from the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), the statement said.
"Cambodia highly values the involvement of the international community, including ICAPP in the country's election observation process, with the strong conviction that it will contribute in the election's credibility," it said.
It added that the Cambodian government encouraged foreign governments and international organizations from around the world to send observers for this election.
According to the statement, over the past decades, Cambodia's democracy has become vibrant and strong, and the upcoming elections will be conducted with the strong commitment of the Cambodian government and the National Election Committee (NEC) for a free and fair condition.
Twelve political parties will contest in the elections, with the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) being the major contestants in the elections, according to the NEC.
The commune elections are to elect commune chiefs and councilors for the kingdom's 1,646 communes, the NEC said, adding that around 7.87 million eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots.
Held once every five years, the commune elections are seen as a bellwether of the party's support ahead of the general elections in 2018.
In the last commune elections in June 2012, the ruling CPP gained 61.9 percent of the votes, compared to about 30.6 percent for the opposition.
