Senate of Cambodia

Senate of Cambodia Protsaphea ney Preăh Réachéanachâk Kâmpŭchéa
4th Legislature
Type
Type	Upper house
Leadership
President	Chea Sim, CPP since July 1999
First Vice President	Sisowath Chiwanmonirak, FP
Second Vice President	Tep Ngorn, CPP
Secretariat General	Oum Sarith, CPP
Members	61
Political groups	CPP (46) SRP (11) Royal appointees (2) Other appointees (2)
Elections
Last election	4 February 2012
Meeting place
Website
www.senate.gov.kh

The Senate of Cambodia (ព្រឹទ្ធសភានៃព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា, Protsaphea) is the upper house of the Parliament of Cambodia.

According to the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, The Senate is a body that has legislative power and performs its duties as determined in the constitution and law. The Senate consists of 58 members that the number of which does not exceed half of all of the members of the Assembly. Stated in the constitution, 2 Senators will be nominated by the King and 2 will be elected by the National Assembly of Cambodia, the rest will be elected by the 24 provinces of Cambodia.

The Senate is led by a 12-person permanent commission (bureau), which is in turn chaired by the President of the Senate, currently Chea Sim. He is assisted by a First and a Second Vice-President. The President and Vice-Presidents are elected as the first item of business at the start of every legislative session.

Cambodia's first Senate Election was held on January 22, 2006. The election was non-universal in nature because only commune councillors and members of the National Assembly were allowed to participate, voting on behalf of their constituents.

Term and Session

According to Article 102, of the Constitution of Cambodia the term for Senators is six years.

The Senate holds it's ordinary sessions twice a year. Each session shall last at least three months. If there is a proposal from the king, prime Minister, or one-third of the senate, the Senate standing committee shall call an extraordinary session. The meeting of the Senate can not proceed unless there is presence of the leadership of the Senate.

An absolute majority vote of all senators is used in the following cases:

• Election of the President, Vice Presidents of the Senate and all members of the commissions or special commission
• Adoption of organic laws
• Adoption of the Internal Regulations of the Senate
• Adoption of laws or issues

A two-third-majority vote of all senators is used for the following cases:

• Adoption of the Constitution law
• The vote pertaining to decision to indict, arrest, detent, confinement disciplinary action, parliamentary immunity, incompatibility, loss of membership, or abandonment of post.
• A three-fourth-majority vote of all senators shall be used to decide on suspension of detention or indictment of any senator.

Leadership

The President of the Senate is assisted by two Vice-Presidents which leads the Senate. The President acts for the King as Head of State in the capacity of a Regent, or is unable to perform his normal duties, the Senate's first Vice-President assumes the role and responsibilities as acting president of the Senate.

The Permanent Committee of the Senate consists of:

• The President of the Senate
• Two Vice-Presidents of the Senate
• The Chairman of the twelve Commissions of the Senate

Elections

 Summary of the 2012 Senate election results

Party	Votes	%		Seats
Cambodian People's Party		77.81%		46
Sam Rainsy Party		22.19%		11
Total (turnout)				57
Source: MYsinchew.com, RFA

 Summary of the 22 January 2006 Cambodian Senate election results

Party	Votes	%		Seats
Cambodian People's Party	7,854	69.19%		43
FUNCINPEC	2,320	20.44%		9
Sam Rainsy Party	1,165	10.26%		2
Total (turnout 99.89%)	11,352			54
Source: www.necelect.org.kh

• In addition to the general election, the King and National Assembly each choose two Senators, bring the total to 58 members.

Sources

• List of Senators
• Ruling party wins Cambodia poll

Related external links

• Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia
• Senate Homepage
• Official Results of the 2007 Commune Councils Election