Cambodia's ruling party vice president re-elected top senator in 4th mandate

PHNOM PENH, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) Vice President Samdech Say Chhum was re-elected the president of the Senate in the fourth mandate on Monday.

All 62 senators, who were present during the first session, unanimously elected him as the president. They also voted for CPP senators Nay Pena and Tep Ngorn as the first vice-president and the second vice-president, respectively.

Speaking after the votes, Say Chhum extended his thanks to all the senators for electing him as the president and the two other senators as the first and second vice-presidents.

"We will work more active to enhance social democratization with the aim of ensuring social and economic development, protecting the common interests of the people and enhancing the quality of living conditions of the people," he said.

The senate, or the upper house, has 62 seats, but the February election was held for 58 seats only, as two senators were appointed by the king and two others were nominated by the National Assembly, or the lower house.

In the February election, which was voted by the members of parliament and the commune councilors, the CPP of Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen won all 58 senate seats.

The senate was established in 1999 with a term of six years. Enditem