Rule hanging over NA

A ruling party lawmaker and parliamentary spokesman said yesterday that the National Assembly will consider invoking an internal rule that could force the opposition party to replace its elected lawmakers with lower-ranked candidates from within the party if their boycott continues beyond a deadline.

Principle 83 of the assembly’s internal regulations states that “the seat of an MP left vacant because of resignation [or] abandonment of work for three months without permission . . . must be replaced by a new MP chosen from the list of candidates representing the party in the same constituency.” …

National Assembly spokesman Chheang Vun said yesterday that the assembly was well aware of the internal rule but would not publicly discuss using it until the three-month deadline is reached on December 23.

“In the assembly, we have considered internal regulations on this case. If the deadline reaches, we will talk about [Principle 83]. There will be a decision made by the Permanent Committee,” he said, adding that there was time yet for the parties to compromise. …

Koul Panha, director at election watchdog Comfrel, said that even if the rule were used, the opposition party could refuse to nominate replacement lawmakers. …

 Kevin Ponniah and Chhay Channyda
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/rule-hanging-over-na