The National Assembly will be taking applications over the next week for its three representatives to the Constitutional Council, parliamentary staff said Monday.
The Assembly will accept applications from qualified people until April 10, Secretary-General Than Sina said.
After that, the lawmakers will vote to choose its three representatives to the nine-member council, he said.
The long-awaited Constitutional Council, which will have the power to strike down laws it deems unconstitutional, is also crucial to upcoming elections because it is mandated to rule on electoral disputes. Pressure has been mounting to form the panel as soon as possible to avoid a delay in the elections.
King Norodom Sihanouk named his three representatives to the council in 1993. The Supreme Council of Magistracy has not announced plans to choose its three candidates, the final three.
Chan Ven, deputy secretary-general of the Assembly, said soliciting applications can avoid a lengthy talent search to find qualified candidates.
“The National Assembly has to gather well-qualified people through applications before the nominations are approved by the Assembly,” Chan Ven said.
Would-be council members must meet the requirements passed into law last month: They must be at least 45 years old, have been involved in public service at least 15 years and hold the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree.
Applicants must submit letters of support from 12 Assembly members, Than Sina said.
The official call for applications will be made at the Assembly’s next session, Than Sina said. “We’ve got one application already,” he said. “It is a member of the National Assembly, but I won’t tell you who.”
