Chausen Cocsal Chhum, president of the National Assembly from 1959 to 1968, called Friday for the critical Constitutional Council to be formed immediately.
“I can only support the petition dated March 8, 1998, and signed by 30 members of parliament that the Constitutional Council be formed and start to effectively function at least four months before the date set for the next elections,” Chausen Cocsal Chhum said in a statement.
The nine-member panel is deemed critical to holding the scheduled July 26 elections, which now are less than four months away.
The council is charged with being the final arbiter in election disputes, as well as ruling on the constitutionality of laws.
“The Constitutional Council must have enough time to conduct its duties between the day it actually starts to function and the date set for holding of the elections,” Chausen Cocsal Chhum stated.
While the National Assembly passed a long-awaited law on the council’s formation earlier this month, the Assembly and the Supreme Council of Magistracy have yet to make their three appointments each to the Constitutional Council.
Chausen Cocsal Chhum, 93, is one of three appointees to the body selected by King Norodom Sihanouk.
