Candlelight Party

The split between the country's two most prominent opposition leaders has been five years in the making.

Son Chhay, the vice president of the Candlelight Party, has been accused of "seriously damaging" the reputation of the ruling Cambodian People's Party.

Despite another victory for the ruling Cambodian People's Party, an old opposition party has pried back open the political space.

Outside the courtroom, police arrested the prominent Cambodian-American activist Theary Seng.

For the first time, an opposition party not led by a magnetic political personality has made inroads.

According to the National Election Committee, Prime Minister Hun Sen’s party won 9,338 out of the 11,622 commune council seats up for election.

But what are the actual numbers?

The long-ruling CPP is almost certain to win this weekend's commune election, but a revived opposition could reopen the political space.

The June 5 commune and sangkat elections have been largely pre-scripted by the ruling CPP, but the international response could be something to watch.

Since the banning of the Cambodia National Rescue Party in 2017, an old party has kept its flame burning.

Seventeen parties have registered to compete for 11,622 commune council positions – but only one of them stands any chance.

Upcoming commune and national elections won't be free or fair, but they will offer signals of how the CPP plans to govern during its next mandate.