The National Assembly has approved the recruitment of nine members of the National Election Committee.
The NEC is being reformed after negotiations between the ruling Cambodian People’s Party and opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, with four members chosen by each and a ninth member agreed on by both.
Following a closed-door session on Friday, Assembly lawmakers announced they would be taking applications for all nine members.
The Rescue Party has so far chosen one of four candidates: Kuoy Bunroeun, who led the working group on election reform, party spokesman Yem Ponhearith said.
A CPP official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the ruling party is considering four members: Ben Chhen, who holds a title as deputy prime minister; Koeut Rith, a secretary of state at the Justice Ministry; Prum Sokha, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Interior; and Sik Bun Hok, a lawmaker.
CPP spokesman Chhim Phal Virun said the decision has not been finalized.
It is unclear who the ninth member will be. Officials had originally hoped to tap Pung Chhiv Kek, founder of the rights group Licadho, for the position. She could not be reached for comment Friday.
A final decision of all nine members is expected April 13.
