Opposition leader Sam Rainsy will attend a special session of the National Assembly today that has been called to announce his validity as a lawmaker-elect.
A statement released by the National Assembly on Friday said that Heng Samrin, the president of the assembly, will chair a meeting at 8 a.m. today to announce the opposition leader’s validity to enter the chamber. CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann confirmed Sunday that Mr. Rainsy would attend the special session.
“The other lawmakers will not attend because we haven’t finalized the legal framework, including the appointment of candidates for the National Election Committee,” Mr. Sovann said.
Mr. Rainsy was banned from running in last year’s July 28 national election due to a 12-year criminal conviction that was pardoned by King Norodom Sihamoni weeks before the vote.
Last week, the CNRP removed Kompong Cham province lawmaker-elect Kuoy Bunroeun, who is set to become one of four opposition election commissioners, from its list of lawmakers-elect to allow Mr. Rainsy to stand as a lawmaker in that province.
