National Assembly debates amendment to Senate election law

PHNOM PENH, March 30, 2026 (KPT) – The National Assembly on Monday opened debate on a proposed amendment to the law governing Senate elections, following recommendations from Senate President Hun Sen to bring the upper chamber’s voting system closer in line with that of the National Assembly.

The session, chaired by Assembly President Khuon Sudary, comes after the Senate’s Permanent Committee reviewed the draft and forwarded it for consideration.

The proposal would replace the current regional-based system with proportional representation across all 25 capital and provincial constituencies.

A special Senate committee studied electoral models in Asia, Europe and the United States before drafting the amendment.

Senate spokesman Chea Thyrith said the reform aims to strengthen accountability by ensuring senators remain more closely connected to commune and sangkat council members who form their electorate.

The amendment focuses on Article 9 of the existing law, which currently divides constituencies into eight regions grouping several provinces together.

Under the proposed changes, each capital and province would become an individual constituency, requiring revisions to several provisions of the law.

The draft consists of two articles: one detailing the changes, and another on implementation. Lawmakers say the reform is intended to modernize the Senate’s electoral framework and reinforce its legitimacy.