This photo dated Oct 7, 2022 shows Son Chhay (left), Vice-President of Candlelight party, walking out of a court in Phnom Penh. (PHOTO / AFP)

PHNOM PENH — Cambodia's National Election Committee (NEC) on Monday refused to recognize the main opposition Candlelight Party for the general election to be held in July.

A decision signed by NEC's chairman Prach Chan said the NEC disqualified the Candlelight Party from the upcoming election because the party had failed to submit a verified copy of its original party registration document with the Ministry of Interior.

So far, NEC has officially recognized 18 political parties for the upcoming election. Among them are the ruling Cambodian People's Party and the royalist Funcinpec Party, according to the NEC.

READ MORE: Cambodian ruling party wins general election

The Southeast Asian nation is scheduled to hold a general election for the 125-seat National Assembly on July 23, 2023, and more than 9.7 million Cambodians have registered to cast their ballots.

In the last general election held five years ago, a total of 20 political parties took part in the race. As a result, the ruling Cambodian People's Party won all 125 seats in the parliament.