The ruling party’s supportive Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodia appealed to members nationwide Wednesday to respect election laws and help bring about free and fair elections in July.

The Solidarity Front, which was formed during the Vietnamese-supported resistance to the Khmer Rouge in 1979, is a major supporter of the Cambodian People’s Party.

Opposition lawmaker Eng Chhay Eang called the appeal an attempt to deceive the eyes of the public, claiming that the ruling party had not respected election laws in the past.

He cited as recent evidence remarks by Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has said in two speeches this month that with him running the government there is no war.

“This is the language of a threat and could cause turmoil,” Eng Chhay Eang said.