Senate ព្រឹទ្ធសភា Prœ̆tthôsâphéa
4th Senate
Type
Type	Upper house of the Parliament of Cambodia
Leadership
President	Say Chhum (CPP) since 9 June 2015
First Vice President	Sim Ka (CPP) since 11 October 2018
Second Vice President	Tep Ngorn (CPP) since 24 March 2012
Structure
Seats	62
Political groups	CPP (58)   FUNCINPEC (2)   Independent (2)
Length of term	Six years
Elections
Voting system	Indirect party-list proportional
Last election	25 February 2018
Next election	25 February 2024
Meeting place
Website
senate.gov.kh

The Senate (Khmer: ព្រឹទ្ធសភា, Prœ̆tthôsâphéa [prɨttʰeaʔsapʰiə]; lit. 'Senatorial Assembly') is the upper house of the Parliament of Cambodia. It is a legislative body composed of 62 members. Fifty-eight of the Senate seats are elected every six years by the commune councillors from 24 provinces of Cambodia and members of the National Assembly. In addition, the King nominates two senators, and the National Assembly nominates two, ending with a total of 62 senators. The Senate performs its duties as determined in the constitution and law in force. The Senate is chaired and presided by the president, currently Say Chhum of the Cambodian People's Party and assisted by two Vice Presidents.

The first Senate session was held on March 25, 1999, and the first election was held on January 22, 2006. The fourth and current Senate was inaugurated by King Norodom Sihamoni on April 23, 2018.

The next election is due to be held in 2024.

Electoral system

The Senate of Cambodia is elected every 6 years by an indirect party-list proportional representation through 8 multi members constituencies (regions), with the Communal Chiefs, Communal Councilors, Members of the National Assembly.^[1]

Term and session

Article 102: The term of the Senate is six years and ends on the day when the new Senate takes office.

Article 107: The Senate holds its ordinary sessions twice a year. Each session shall last at least three months. If requested by the king or Prime Minister, or at least one-third of all the senators, the Senate shall convene in an extraordinary session.

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-thirds majority vote of all senators is used for the following cases:

• Adoption of the Constitution law
• The vote pertaining to the decision to indict, arrest, detent, confinement disciplinary action, parliamentary immunity, incompatibility, loss of membership, or abandonment of post.

A three-fourths majority vote of all senators is to be used to decide on the suspension of detention or indictment of any senator.

Leadership

The President of the Senate is assisted by two Vice Presidents who lead the Senate. If the President is unable to perform his/her duties due to illness or due to fulfilling the functions of Acting Head of State or as a Regent, or due to being on a mission abroad, a Vice President shall replace him. (Article 110-New of the Constitution)

The Permanent Committee of the Senate consists of:

• The President of the Senate
• Two Vice Presidents of the Senate
• The Chairman of the nine Commissions of the Senate

Composition (elected seats)

Elections

2018

Party		Votes	%	Seats won	+/-
	Cambodian People's Party	11,202	95.95%	58	12
	FUNCINPEC	276	2.36%	0	0
	Khmer National United Party	182	1.55%	0	0
	Cambodian Youth Party	3	0.20%	0	0
Total		11,670	100	58

2012

Party		Votes	%	Seats won	+/-
	Cambodian People's Party	8,880	77.81%	46	9
	Sam Rainsy Party	2,503	22.19%	11	1
Total		11,383	100	57

List of senators in 2018

List of senators in 2012

See also

• National Assembly (Cambodia)
• Parliament of Cambodia
• Politics of Cambodia
• List of legislatures by country

References

External links

• List of Senators
• Ruling party wins Cambodia poll
• Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia
• Senate Homepage
• Official Results of the 2007 Commune Councils Election