PHNOM PENH: On the morning December 11, National Assembly President Khuon Sodary presided over a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee to discuss appointees to the National Election Committee (NEC), the governing body that makes decisions about the elections, how they are run, and who is allowed to participate.

During yesterday’s meeting, the National Assembly agreed that a vote for the NEC leadership would be held on December 13.

Candidates to sit on the NEC are chosen by the party or parties that hold seats in the National Assembly. During the last mandate, the Cambodian People’s Party was the only party to hold seats in the National Assembly. This time, the royalist FUNCINPEC party holds five of the 125 seats, which presumably means they will have some members in the NEC this term.

 Last month, the Standing Committee appointed the General Secretariat to gather a list of candidates and announce them for the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and members of the committee. He will then present the list to the National Assembly Standing Committee for further review.