The Funcinpec party said Friday at least 50 members had been forced to join the ruling Cambodian People’s Party in Siem Reap province.
Chhum Sam, a Funcinpec commune leader for Srey Snom, said members were given money and gifts by CPP officials who told them a defection would mean they could live in peace and without intimidation.
Srey Snom District Governor Chhuern Chhean could not be reached for comment, but Tin Narin, a CPP commune chief, denied the accusations.
Adhoc investigator Sous Narin said he was working to confirm a lobbying effort by the CPP for Funcinpec, but he had not received a complaint from the coalition partner. Such acts could be a breach of election law, he said.
