National Assembly (Cambodia)

For a list of officeholders, see List of presidents of the National Assembly (Cambodia).
National Assembly

រដ្ឋសភា

Roatsaphea
7th National Assembly
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
History
Established14 June 1993; 31 years ago (1993-06-14)
New session started
21 August 2023; 16 months ago (2023-08-21)
Leadership
Khuon Sodary (CPP)
since 22 August 2023
Cheam Yeab (CPP)
since 25 November 2021
Vong Sauth (CPP)
since 22 August 2023
Hun Manet (CPP)
since 22 August 2023
Structure
Seats125
Political groups
Government (120)
  •   CPP (120)

Confidence and supply (5)

[a]
Length of term
Five years
Elections
Closed list proportional representation
First election
23 & 28 May 1993
Last election
23 July 2023
Next election
23 or 30 July 2028
Meeting place
Website
national-assembly.org.kh

The National Assembly (Khmer: រដ្ឋសភា, UNGEGN: Roatsaphea [rɔət.sapʰiə]; lit. 'State Assembly') 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 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 Khuon Sodary. The seventh National Assembly held its inaugural session on 21 August 2023.

History

National Assembly building
Parliament session in 2013
Members of the sixth National Assembly of Cambodia with King Norodom Sihamoni, 5 September 2018.

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.

Electoral System

The Constitution of Cambodia states the National Assembly are elected 5 year terms from 25 multi-member constituencies based on the provinces by closed list proportional representation. Seats were allocated using the D'Hondt method and elections are to happen on the fourth Sunday of July.[1]

Province Seats
Banteay Meanchey 6
Battambang 8
Kampong Cham 10
Kampong Chhnang 4
Kampong Speu 6
Kampong Thom 6
Kampot 6
Kandal 11
Koh Kong 1
Kratié 3
Mondulkiri 1
Phnom Penh 12
Preah Vihear 1
Prey Veng 11
Pursat 4
Ratanakiri 1
Siem Reap 6
Preah Sihanouk 3
Stung Treng 1
Svay Rieng 5
Takéo 9
Oddar Meanchey 1
Kep 1
Pailin 1
Tboung Khmum 8
Total 125

Qualification

The qualifications to be a candidate for the National Assembly are outlined in Article 76 of the 1993 Constitution.

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

Commission[2][3][4] Chairperson
Commission on Human Rights, Complaints, and Investigation Hon. Mr. Sar Chamrong
Commission on Economics, Finance, Banking and Auditing Hon. Mr. Chheang Vun
Commission on Planning, Investment, Agriculture, Rural Development, Environment, and Water Resources Hon. Mr.Loy Sophat
Commission on Interior, National Defense, Civil Service, and Border Affairs Hon. Mr. Kep Chuktema
Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Information Hon. Mr. Suos Yara
Commission on Legislation and Justice Hon. Mr. Ang Vong Vathana
Commission on Education, Youth, Sport, Cult, Religion, Culture, Fine Arts, and Tourism Hon. Mr. Pa Socheatevong
Commission on Health, Social Affairs, Veterans, Youth Rehabilitation, Labour, Vocational Training and Women’s Affairs Hon. Mrs. Lork Kheng
Commission of Public Works, Transport, Civil Aviation, Post, Telecommunications, Industry, Science, Technology, Innovation, Mines, Energy, Commerce, Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction Hon. Mrs. Nin Saphon
Commission on Investigation, Clearance and Anti-Corruption Hon. Mr. Pen Simorn

See also

Notes

  1. ^ FUNCINPEC stated their support for the Government

References

  1. ^ "IPU PARLINE database: CAMBODIA (Radhsphea Ney Preah Recheanachakr Kampuchea), Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  2. ^ "Parliament issues list of components in fifth legislature". 2013-09-24. Archived from the original on 2013-09-29. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
  3. ^ Khy, Sovuthy (August 9, 2014). "Assembly Rules Amended In First Bipartisan Sitting". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  4. ^ "Line-up of Members of 7th Legislature of National Assembly". cpp.org.kh. Retrieved 2024-10-03.