PHNOM PENH The main Cambodian opposition alliance said Monday it would boycott the July 26 national election because it would not be free and fair. The announcement clouded the start of the national voter registration. But Cambodian strongman Hun Sen on Monday dismissed the move. The National United Front (NUF), led by deposed co-premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh, said it would boycott the election if it was held as scheduled on July 26.

It said in a statement that its conditions for taking part some also demanded by the United Nations had not been met by the authorities. The members of the NUF have agreed not to participate in the elections until the conditions have been met and a later election date set that allows enough time for all parties to compete fairly, the statement said.

It highlighted fears of voter intimidation, violence and biased election supervisory bodies which it said meant a July 26 election could not be free and fair. The United Nations, which has agreed to act as election coordinator, has not yet said whether it considers the conditions met. (AFP)