National Assembly of Cambodia

National Assembly of Cambodia រដ្ឋសភានៃព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា Rotsaphea
5th Mandate
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type	Lower house of the Parliament of Cambodia
History
New session started	23 September 2013
Leadership
President	Heng Samrin (CPP) Since 21 March 2006
First Vice President	Vacant Since 30 October 2015
Second Vice President	Nguon Nhel (CPP) Since 26 August 2014
Minority Leader	Vacant Since 16 November 2015
Structure
Seats	123
Political groups	CPP (68)      CNRP (55)
Length of term	5 years
Elections
Voting system	Party-list proportional representation D'Hondt method
Last election	28 July 2013
Next election	July 2018
Meeting place
250px
Website
www.national-assembly.org.kh

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 September 23, 2013 by King Norodom Sihamoni.

History

Exterior of the National Assembly building.

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 September 1, 1946. The Democrats won a majority of seats in the legislature.
• Cambodia was proclaimed a constitutional monarchy on May 6, 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	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	Ho Vann	Cambodia National Rescue Party

Composition

Province	MPs
Banteay Meanchey Province	6
Battambang Province	8
Kampong Cham Province	18
Kampong Chhnang Province	4
Kampong Speu Province	6
Kampong Thom Province	6
Kampot Province	6
Kandal Province	11
Koh Kong Province	1
Kratie Province	3
Mondulkiri Province	1
Phnom Penh	12
Preah Vihear Province	1
Prey Veng Province	11
Pursat Province	4
Ratanakiri Province	1
Siem Reap Province	6
Preah Sihanouk Province	1
Stung Treng Province	1
Svay Rieng Province	5
Takeo Province	8
Kep Province	1
Pailin Province	1
Oddar Meanchey Province	1
Total	123

Elections

 Summary of the 28 July 2013 National Assembly election results

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 68.0%)	6,627,159			123
Source: National Election Committee

See most recent election at: Cambodian parliamentary election, 2013

Presidents of the National Assembly

Main article: List of Presidents of the National Assembly of Cambodia

Name		Period	Political Party
1	Son Sann	1993	BLDP
style="background:Template:Cambodian People's Party/meta/color; color:white;"| 2	Chea Sim	1993–1998	CPP
3	Norodom Ranariddh	1998–2006	FUNCINPEC
style="background:Template:Cambodian People's Party/meta/color; color:white;"| 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

External links

• National Assembly Homepage (in Khmer)
• National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia
• EU Election Observation Mission to Cambodia - 2003