Cambodian Senate Recognizes New Member, Approves Commune-Sangkat Administration Law Amendment Draft

The Cambodian Senate on Friday recognized H.E. Ms. Tep Sam Aun as a new senator for Constituency 6, covering Prey Veng and Svay Rieng provinces. She succeeds H.E. Tim Phan, a senator representing Constituency 6 and Secretary of the Senate’s Commission 9, who recently passed away. The extraordinary session of the Senate’s fifth legislature was chaired by H.E. Ouch Borith, Acting President of the Senate, with 56 senators in attendance. The session had two items on its agenda. Under the first agenda item, the Senate recognized H.E. Ms. Tep Sam Aun as a new senator for Constituency 6, covering Prey Veng and Svay Rieng provinces. She succeeds H.E. Tim Phan, a senator representing Constituency 6 and Secretary of the Senate’s Commission 9, who recently passed away. The new senator will take an oath of office before officially assuming her position. Under the second agenda item, the Senate examined and gave its opinion on the draft law on amendments to the Law on Administrative Management of Communes/Sangkats. The draft law aims to improve the formula and method for determining leadership positions in Commune-Sangkat administrations to better reflect actual circumstances, align with election results and the will of the people, and improve the effectiveness of public service delivery at the local level. The amendment does not change the electoral system or the method of allocating seats, according to the Senate. After hearing a report from H.E. Dr. Neang Phat, Chairperson of the Senate’s Commission 4, on the commission’s review and study of the draft law, as well as comments from four senators and responses from H.E. Abhisantibindit Sar Sokha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the Senate approved the draft law without amendment. The draft law received 53 votes in favour out of the total number of senators. By C. Nika