National Assembly of Cambodia
| National Assembly of Cambodia រដ្ឋសភានៃព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា Rotsaphea | |
|---|---|
| 5th Mandate | |
_emblem.png) | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| History | |
New session started | 23 September 2013 |
| Leadership | |
|
Vacant Since 30 October 2015 | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 123 |
 | |
Political groups |
Government (68) |
Length of term | 5 years |
| Elections | |
|
Party-list proportional representation D'Hondt method | |
Last election | 28 July 2013 |
Next election | 22 July 2018 |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Website | |
|
en | |
The National Assembly (Khmer: រដ្ឋសភា; Rotsaphea) is one of the two houses (chambers) of the Parliament of Cambodia. It is referred to as the lower house, with the Senate being referred to as the upper house.
The National Assembly is an elected body consisting of 123 members known as Members of Parliament (MPs). Members are elected for five-year terms by proportional representation, using provinces as constituencies of 1 to 18 members, and the D'Hondt method of seat distribution. A political party must secure 62 seats to obtain and preserve a majority.
The National Assembly is headed by the President, currently occupied by Heng Samrin of Kampong Cham. The fifth mandate was opened on 23 September 2013 by King Norodom Sihamoni.
History
The current National Assembly originated as the Constituent Assembly, a legislative body elected during the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). After the 1993 election, the Assembly met and adopted a new constitution for Cambodia. After enactment of the 1993 Constitution, the Constituent Assembly was renamed the National Assembly.
- Cambodia held its first elections in history on 1 September 1946. The Democrats won a majority of seats in the legislature.
- Cambodia was proclaimed a constitutional monarchy on 6 May 1947.
Qualification
The qualifications to be a candidate for the National Assembly are outlined in Article 76 of the 1993 Constitution.
- The candidate must be a citizen of Cambodia by birth only.
- The citizen must be at the age of twenty-five or older on Election Day.
- The candidate must be on the electoral register.
Power and privileges
Law Adoption
- Adopt and Amend laws for Cambodia and approve the national budget and administration accounts. (Article 90)
- Approve or repeal international treaties and conventions. (Article 90)
- Initiate legislation. (Article 91)
Vote of confidence
- Shall pass a vote of confidence in the Royal Government. (Article 90)
- Dismiss any members of the Council of Ministers, or the Royal Government, by a motion of censure passed by an absolute majority vote of all Members of the National Assembly. (Article 98)
Oversight
- Shall have the right to propose questions to the Royal Government. The replies by the ministers or by the Prime Minister may be given orally or in writing. The replies shall be provided within seven days after the day the question is received. (Article 96)
- Oversee royal government performance and invite high-ranking officials to clarify important special issues to the National Assembly. (Article 89)
- The commissions of the National Assembly may invite any minister to clarify issues in fields under his/her responsibility. (Article 97)
- Oversee the law enforcement.
Representative
- The Members of the National Assembly shall represent all the Khmer people, not only citizens from their constituencies. (Article 77)
- Play an important role in helping citizens have their voice in society and to bring people’s concern and needs for decisions to the National Assembly.
- Intervene and solve problems faced by citizens.
- Member of Parliament have the right to express opinions in the exercise of his/her duties protected by “Parliamentary Immunity” and shall not be prosecuted, detained or arrested because of opinions expressed in the exercise of his/her duties, except in case of flagrante delicto offences. (Article 80)
Commissions
| Committee[1] | Chairperson | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Commission on Human Rights, Complaints, and Investigation | Eng Chhai Eang | Cambodia National Rescue Party |
| Commission on Economics, Finance, Banking and Auditing | Cheam Yeap | Cambodian People's Party |
| Commission on Planning, Investment, Agriculture, Rural Development, Environment, and Water Resources | Pol Hom | Cambodia National Rescue Party |
| Commission on Interior, National Defense, and Civil Service Administration | Hun Neng | Cambodian People's Party |
| Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Information, and Media | Chheang Vun | Cambodian People's Party |
| Commission on Legislation and Justice | Pen Panha | Cambodian People's Party |
| Commission on Education, Youth, Sport, Religious Affairs, Culture and Tourism | Yem Ponhearith | Cambodia National Rescue Party |
| Commission on Health Care, Social & Veterans' Affairs, Youth Rehabilitation, Labor, Vocational Training & Women's Affairs | Ke Sovannaroth | Cambodia National Rescue Party |
| Commission of Public Works, Transport, Telecommunication, Post, Industry, Commerce, Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction | Nin Saphon | Cambodian People's Party |
| Commission on Investigation and Anti-Corruption[2] | Ho Vann | Cambodia National Rescue Party |
Composition
Elections
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambodian People's Party | 3,235,969 | 48.83% | 68 | ||
| Cambodia National Rescue Party | 2,946,176 | 44.46% | 55 | ||
| FUNCINPEC | 242,413 | 3.66% | — | ||
| League for Democracy Party | 68,389 | 1.03% | — | ||
| Khmer Anti-Poverty Party | 43,222 | 0.65% | — | ||
| Cambodian Nationality Party | 38,123 | 0.58% | — | ||
| Khmer Economic Development Party | 33,715 | 0.51% | — | ||
| Democratic Republican Party | 19,152 | 0.29% | — | ||
| Total (turnout 68.5%) | 6,627,159 | 123 | |||
| Source: National Election Committee | |||||
See most recent election at: Cambodian parliamentary election, 2013
Presidents of the National Assembly
| Name | Period | Political Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Son Sann | 1993 | BLDP |
| 2 | Chea Sim | 1993–1998 | CPP |
| 3 | Norodom Ranariddh | 1998–2006 | FUNCINPEC |
| 4 | Heng Samrin | 2006–Present | CPP |
See also
- Parliament of Cambodia
- Senate of Cambodia
- Council of Ministers
- Politics of Cambodia
- List of legislatures by country
References
- ↑ "Parliament issues list of components in fifth legislature". 2013-09-24. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
- ↑ Khy, Sovuthy (August 9, 2014). "Assembly Rules Amended In First Bipartisan Sitting". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
External links
- National Assembly Homepage (in Khmer)
- National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia
- EU Election Observation Mission to Cambodia - 2003