The National Election Committee announced Friday it was seeking election observers from political parties and international and local non-government organizations for next year's national polls.
Observers, who work to ensure free and fair elections by reporting discrepancies to election officials, will need to register between Sept. 15 and Oct. 20, NEC said in a statement.
Political parties can register observers through commune councils, but village chiefs and other local leaders were prohibited, NEC Legal Office Director Keo Phalla said.
"The code of conduct prohibits them from becoming political party representatives," he said. "If they want to be as agents, as political party representatives, we do not allow that either, because they are also local authorities."
Observers will be trained on issues such as a code of conduct, NEC Director Tep Nitha said.