National Assembly of Cambodia
The National Assembly (Khmer: រដ្ឋសភា, French: Assemblée nationale) 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.
National Assembly រដ្ឋសភា Assemblée nationale | |
|---|---|
| 6th National Assembly | |
_emblem.png.webp) | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 125 |
 | |
Political groups | CPP (125) |
Length of term | Five years |
| Elections | |
| Parallel voting D'Hondt method | |
Last election | 29 July 2018 |
Next election | 30 July 2023 |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Website | |
| national-assembly | |
The National Assembly is an elected body consisting of 125 members known as Members of Parliament (MPs). Members are elected for five-year terms by party-list proportional representation, using provinces as constituencies of 1 to 18 members, and the D'Hondt method of seat distribution. A political party must secure 63 seats to obtain and preserve a majority.
The National Assembly is headed by the President, currently Heng Samrin. The sixth National Assembly was inaugurated on 6 September 2018, and presided 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 |
|---|---|
| Commission on Human Rights, Complaints, and Investigation | Pa Socheatvong |
| Commission on Economics, Finance, Banking and Auditing | Cheam Yeap |
| Commission on Planning, Investment, Agriculture, Rural Development, Environment, and Water Resources | Loy Sophat |
| Commission on Interior, National Defense, and Civil Service Administration | Hun Neng |
| Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Information, and Media | Chheang Vun |
| Commission on Legislation and Justice | Pen Panha |
| Commission on Education, Youth, Sport, Religious Affairs, Culture and Tourism | Hun Many |
| Commission on Health Care, Social & Veterans' Affairs, Youth Rehabilitation, Labor, Vocational Training & Women's Affairs | Lork Kheng |
| Commission of Public Works, Transport, Telecommunication, Post, Industry, Commerce, Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction | Nin Saphon |
| Commission on Investigation and Anti-Corruption[2] | Pen Simorn |
Composition
Elections
See most recent election at: 2018 Cambodian general election
| |||||
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambodian People's Party | 4,889,113 | 76.85 | 125 | +57 | |
| FUNCINPEC | 374,510 | 5.89 | 0 | 0 | |
| League for Democracy Party | 309,364 | 4.86 | 0 | 0 | |
| Khmer Will Party | 212,869 | 3.35 | 0 | New | |
| Khmer National United Party | 99,377 | 1.56 | 0 | New | |
| Grassroots Democratic Party | 70,567 | 1.11 | 0 | New | |
| Beehive Social Democratic Party | 56,024 | 0.88 | 0 | New | |
| Khmer Anti-Poverty Party | 55,298 | 0.87 | 0 | 0 | |
| Khmer United Party | 48,785 | 0.77 | 0 | New | |
| Cambodian Nationality Party | 45,370 | 0.71 | 0 | 0 | |
| Khmer Republican Party | 41,631 | 0.65 | 0 | New | |
| Cambodian Youth Party | 39,333 | 0.62 | 0 | New | |
| Dharmacracy Party | 29,060 | 0.46 | 0 | New | |
| Khmer Economic Development Party | 23,255 | 0.37 | 0 | 0 | |
| Khmer Rise Party | 22,002 | 0.35 | 0 | New | |
| Ponleu Thmey Party | 13,509 | 0.21 | 0 | New | |
| Cambodia Indigenous People's Democracy Party | 10,197 | 0.16 | 0 | New | |
| Our Motherland Party | 9,174 | 0.14 | 0 | New | |
| Republican Democracy Party | 8,591 | 0.14 | 0 | 0 | |
| Reaksmey Khemara Party | 4,212 | 0.07 | 0 | New | |
| Total | 6,362,241 | 100.00 | 125 | +2 | |
| Valid votes | 6,362,241 | 91.45 | |||
| Invalid/blank votes | 594,659 | 8.55 | |||
| Total votes | 6,956,900 | 100.00 | |||
| Registered voters/turnout | 8,380,217 | 83.02 | |||
| Source: National Election Committee | |||||
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
References
- "Parliament issues list of components in fifth legislature". 2013-09-24. Archived from the original on 2013-09-29. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
- Khy, Sovuthy (August 9, 2014). "Assembly Rules Amended In First Bipartisan Sitting". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved August 10, 2014.