Nation – Religion – King
REACH
KRAM
NS/RKM/0301/05
We,
Preah
Bat Norodom Sihanouk,
King
of the Kingdom of Cambodia,
- Having
seen the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia;
-
Having
seen the Kram NS/RKT/0399/01 of March 08, 1999 promulgated the constitutional
law on the amendment of Articles 11, 12, 13, 18, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 34, 51,
90, 91, 93, and Articles of Chapter 8 through Chapter 14 of the Constitution of
the Kingdom of Cambodia;
-
Having
seen the Kret NS/RKT/1198/72 of November 30, 1998 on the Appointment of the
Royal Government of Cambodia;
-
Having
seen the Kram 02/NS/94 of July 20, 1994, promulgating the Law on the
Organization and Functioning of the Council of Ministers;
-
Having
seen the Kram 01/NS/93 of December 28, 1993 on the Financial System;
-
Having
seen the Kram NS/RKM/0196/08 of January 24, 1996, promulgating the Law on the
Establishment of the Ministry of Interior;
-
Pursuant
to the proposal of Samdech Prime Minister and the Co-ministers of Interior
The
Law on Khum/Sangkat Administrative Management enacted by the National Assembly
on the 12th of January 2001 at its 5th plenary session of
the 2nd legislature and entirely approved by the Senate on its form
and legal concepts on the 1st of February 2001 at its 4th
plenary session of the 1st legislature and declared constitutional
by the Constitutional Council under decision No. 041/003/2001/CC of February
28, 2001 include the following provisions:
Article 1:
This
Law has its purpose to establish administrative management of all Khum/Sangkat
in the Kingdom of Cambodia following a policy of decentralization.
Article 2:
A
Khum/Sangkat is a legal entity.
Article 3:
The
system of Local Governance shall be implemented at Khum/Sangkat level.
Article 4:
The
powers to govern and manage Khum/Sangkat are derived for the general,
universal, free and fair, equal, direct and secret elections within the
framework of each Khum/Sangkat.
Article 5:
A
Khum/Sangkat governs local affairs of its territory in accordance with the
Constitution, Laws, Royal Decrees, Sub-Decrees, Proclamations (Prakas) and
Legal Instruments concerned. Legislative Power and Executive Power shall be
vested to Communes/Sangkat and these Powers shall be implemented in consistence
with the Constitution, Laws, Royal Decrees, Sub-Decrees, Proclamations and
Legal Instruments concerned.
Article 6:
The
establishment, the disestablishment, the adjustment of boundary and the change
of name of Communes/Sangkat in case of not affecting the boundaries of
provinces/municipalities concerned, shall be determined by sub-decree following
the proposal of the Minister of Interior. In case of affecting the boundary of
a province/municipality concerned, such establishment, disestablishment,
adjustment of boundary, and change of name of the Khum/Sangkat shall be
determined by a Royal-Decree following the proposal of the Prime Minister based
on the proposal of the Minister of Interior.
Article 7:
If
any consequence occurs after such establishment, disestablishment of
adjustment, the Minister of Interior shall issue a proclamation to resolve the
consequence in accordance with the applicable laws and rules.
Article 8:
Any
Khum/Sangkat, which is unable to hold the election of Khum/Sangkat Council due
to force majeure, the Royal Government shall report to the National Assembly.
After reporting to the National Assembly, the Royal Government shall designate
the Ministry of Interior to temporarily manage that Khum/Sangkat and the
election of that Khum/Sangkat shall be held when the situation become normal.
Article 9:
Each
Khum/Sangkat shall have a council called the Khum/Sangkat Council. The
Khum/Sangkat is a body representing citizens in its Khum/Sangkat and have
missions to serve the general interests of its Khum/Sangkat.
Article 10:
Khum/Sangkat Council is elected by the citizens in its Khum/Sangkat in accordance with the procedures prescribed in the Law on the Elections of Khum/Sangkat Councils.
Article 11:
A Khum/Sangkat Council shall have 5 years mandate, and shall be expired when the new Council takes office. During the transitional period, the expired Khum/Sangkat Council shall carry out duties on daily basis only.
Article 12:
Khum/Sangkat
Council shall have from 5 to 11 councilors depending on its demography and
geography. The actual number of councilors of each Khum/Sangkat shall be
determined by a sub-decree following the proposal of the Minister of Interior.
The already determined number of councilors may be changed by sub-decree
following the proposal of the Minister of Interior depending on the change of
demography and geography. The additional councilor or councilors of
Khum/Sangkat Council shall be elected by the same procedures applied to other
councilors.
Article 13:
Khum/Sangkat
Council shall have a chairman called the Presiding Councilor of the
Khum/Sangkat Council. The Presiding
Councilor shall have duties to:
Article 14:
Khmer
citizen who is eligible and intends to stand, as a candidate for the election
of the Khum/Sangkat Council shall fulfill conditions specified below:
Article 15:
Khum/Sangkat
Council shall be elected in accordance with a system of proportional
representation.
Article 16:
A
Khum/Sangkat Councilor shall be disqualified due to one of the following cases:
If
any Khum/Sangkat Councilor is disqualified, the candidate whose name is in
order from the top of the same candidate list shall be selected for replacement
without holding an election.
Article 17:
A
by-election shall be held within a period of not later than 120 days, in order
to elect the Khum/Sangkat Council, due to one of the following cases:
The
above by-election shall be held in conformity with formalities and procedures
provided in the Law on the Elections of Khum/Sangkat Councils.
The
mandate of Khum/Sangkat Council established by the above by-election shall be
equal to the remaining mandate of the Khum/Sangkat Council. A by-election shall
not be permitted to hold, if the remaining mandate of the Khum/Sangkat Council
is not more than 180 days. Within this period, the Minister of Interior shall
appoint a composition and determine the competency and methods to manage that
Khum/Sangkat until the election of the Khum/Sangkat Councils for the next
mandate is held.
Article 18:
Khum/Sangkat
boundaries or names may be adjusted or changed only if it does not change the
number of elected councilors of the Khum/Sangkat Council. A new Khum/Sangkat
may be established only if it does not change the number of the councilors of
the Khum/Sangkat Councils concerned. In case that a Khum/Sangkat is
established, disestablished or its boundaries is adjusted which results in the
change of number of the elected Khum/Sangkat councilors, such establishment, or
change shall take effect at the elections of the Khum/Sangkat Councils for the
next mandate.
Article 19:
The
first meeting of a Khum/Sangkat Council shall be convened within 14 days after
the announcement of official results of the elections and the meeting shall be
presided over by officials designated by the Minister of Interior in order to
declare the validity of Khum/Sangkat Councilors, the name of the presiding
councilor of the Khum/Sangkat and the Khum/Sangkat Chief and Deputy Chiefs.
Article 20:
Before
taking its office, the Khum/Sangkat Council must prepare and adopt its internal
rules and regulations to determine rules for its meetings and work proceedings.
The
Minister of Interior must issue a guideline as a basis of preparing the above
internal rules and regulations.
Article 21:
Khum/Sangkat
Council must meet at least once a month. The Khum/Sangkat Council must meet in
its Khum/Sangkat office or if it is necessary, the Chairman of the meeting may
choose any place in its Khum/Sangkat to hold the meeting.
Article 22:
A
meeting of Khum/Sangkat Council shall be valid only if the absolute majority of
the entire Khum/Sangkat Councilors attends it. The following matters shall be
adopted if the absolute majority of the entire Khum/Sangkat Councilors votes
them for:
If
upon any adoption, there is an equality of votes, the vote of the chairman of
the meeting shall be superior.
Article 23:
The
meeting of Khum/Sangkat Council shall be held in public and in democratic
manner. The meeting of the Khum/Sangkat Council may be held secretly. The
Minister of Interior shall issue a guideline on the above meeting.
Article 24:
A
Khum/Sangkat Councilor shall have freedom of expression at the meetings of
Khum/Sangkat Council as long as he/she complies with the provisions of the
internal rules and regulations of the Khum/Sangkat Council and the provisions
of this Law. No Khum/Sangkat Councilor shall be arrested, detained, or liable
for civil or criminal proceedings because of expression of opinion as long as
such expression is exercised in compliance with the provisions of this Law.
Chapter 3:
Structure of a Khum/Sangkat Council
Article 25:
The
Khum/Sangkat administration shall be governed by the Khum/Sangkat Council.
The
Khum/Sangkat Council shall have a presiding councilor of the Khum/Sangkat
Council. The presiding councilor of the Khum/Sangkat is the Khum/Sangkat Chief
(Mékhum/Chav-Sangkat)
Article 26:
A
Khum/Sangkat chief shall have assistants as follows:
The
Commune Chief (Mé-Khum) shall have
two assistants:
The
Sangkat Chief (Chav-Sangkat) shall
have two assistants:
Article 27:
A
Khum/Sangkat Chief shall have right to appoint various committees to provide
advice and to assist affairs, as it is necessary. Any councilor or any citizen,
other than councilor, who is entitled to vote, may become the chairman of the
above committees.
Article 28:
A
Khum/Sangkat shall have a staff within the administrative framework of the
Ministry of Interior as a clerk. The Khum/Sangkat clerk shall be appointed by
the Minister of Interior to assist the affairs of Khum/Sangkat and to ensure
the sustainability of administrative affairs of Khum/Sangkat. The Khum/Sangkat
clerk shall be changed as requested by the Khum/Sangkat Chief following the
decision of the Khum/Sangkat Council.
Article 29:
A
Khum/Sangkat may employ staff that is not in the State framework to assist its
affairs, as it is required by the needs and necessity and the decision of the
ruling Khum/Sangkat Council; and his/her employment may be extended by decision
of the Council of the next mandate.
Article 30:
In
order to uphold the effectiveness of Khum/Sangkat administration, Khum/Sangkat
Council shall manage to have a Village Chief (Mé-Phum) in each village under its Khum/Sangkat.
Article 31:
The
Village Chief shall have the following duties:
The
Minister of Interior shall issue an additional guideline on appropriate manners
of working and carrying out duties in villages.
Article 32:
The
presiding councilor of a Khum/Sangkat who is the Khum/Sangkat Chief shall be
selected from the candidate on the top of the candidate list that receives
majority of votes. The presiding councilor who is the Khum/Sangkat Chief shall
have equal mandate with the Communes/Sangkat Council.
Article 33:
The
First Deputy Chief of Khum/Sangkat shall be selected from the candidate on the
top of the candidate list that receives second majority of votes. The Second
Deputy Chief of a Khum/Sangkat shall be selected from the candidate on the top
of the candidate list that receives third majority of votes.
Article 34:
In
case that official result of the election of a Khum/Sangkat Council supports
only one candidate list which is entitled to all seats of the Council, the
councilors form this only one list shall be selected to be a Khum/Sangkat
Chief, First and Second Deputy Chiefs.
Article 35:
In
case that the official result of the election of a Khum/Sangkat Council
supports two candidate lists which are entitled to the seats of the Council,
the councilor on the second top of the candidate list that receives majority of
votes shall be selected as the First Deputy Chief while the councilor on the
top of the candidate list that receives second majority of votes shall be
selected as the Second Deputy Chief.
Article 36:
The
positions of the presiding councilor of a Khum/Sangkat as a Khum/Sangkat Chief
shall disappear if the incumbent is disqualified from being a councilor in term
of Paragraph 1 of Article 17 of this Law.
Article 37:
If
any positions as the presiding councilor of Khum/Sangkat Council, the Commune/
Sangkat chief and the Khum/Sangkat councilor is disqualified, other positions
shall also be disqualified at the same time. In this case, the councilor whose
name is on the second top of the same list with the disqualified presiding
councilor who is Khum/Sangkat chief, shall be selected to the position of the
presiding councilor of the Khum/Sangkat Council who is Khum/Sangkat chief and
another new councilor shall be selected to fill the vacant seat by following
the provision of Paragraph 2 of Article 17 of the this Law. In case that the
candidate list entitled to a position of the presiding councilor of a Commune/
Sangkat Council who is a Khum/Sangkat Council, a new Khum/Sangkat councilor
shall be selected from the same candidate list by following provision of
Paragraph 2 of Article 17 of this Law and this councilor shall be assigned to
the position of the presiding councilor of the Khum/Sangkat Councilor who is
the Khum/Sangkat chief to replace the disqualified presiding councilor who is
Khum/Sangkat chief. Based on the above terms, the disqualification and the
holding of the position of the presiding councilor of Khum/Sangkat Council who
is Khum/Sangkat chief shall be made by a proclamation of the Minister of
interior not later than 14 days.
Article 38:
The
First Deputy or Second Deputy Chief of a Khum/Sangkat shall be disqualified
from his/her position in case that incumbent ceased to be a Khum/Sangkat
councilor in terms of provisions of Paragraph 1 of Article 17 of this Law. If the
position of the First or Second Deputy Chief of a Khum/Sangkat is disqualified,
his/her position as the Khum/Sangkat councilor shall also be disqualified at
the same time.
In
the above case, a candidate whose name is on the top after the name of the First
or Second Deputy Chief of the Khum/Sangkat of the same candidate list shall be
selected to replace the disqualified deputy chief and a new councilor shall be
selected to fill the vacant seat as provided in Paragraph 2 of Article 17 of
this Law. In case that a candidate list entitled to the position of the First
or the Second Deputy Chief of a Khum/Sangkat is running out its Khum/Sangkat
councilor, the candidate from that list be selected to be the Khum/Sangkat
councilor as provided in Paragraph 2 of Article 17 of this Law and the and the
position of First or the Second Deputy Chief the Khum/Sangkat shall be offered
to this newly selected councilor as replacement of the disqualified First or
Second Deputy Chief of the Khum/Sangkat.
Based
on the above terms and provisions of Article 94 of this Law, the
disqualification and the holding of a position as the First or the Second
Deputy chief of a Khum/Sangkat will be made by a proclamation of the Minister
of Interior not later than 14 days.
Article 39:
A
Khum/Sangkat Chief shall perform the following roles and duties:
Article 40:
The
Khum/Sangkat deputy chiefs are assistants to the Khum/Sangkat Chief in
performing duties assigned to them by the Khum/Sangkat Chief and shall act as
Khum/Sangkat Chief, in order of hierarchy of the Khum/Sangkat deputy chiefs, in
the absence of the Khum/Sangkat Chief.
The
Khum/Sangkat deputy chiefs shall be assigned with duties followed:
Khum/Sangkat
Chief may assign other additional duties to his/her deputies.
Chapter 4:
Roles, Functions and Powers of a Khum/Sangkat
Administration
Article 41:
A
Khum/Sangkat administration shall have roles to uphold and support good
governance by using all available resources to address the basic needs of its
Khum/Sangkat to serve the common interests of citizens in the respect of the
national interest, in accordance with general policy of the State.
Article 42:
A
Khum/Sangkat shall have two types of functions as followed:
Article 43:
Within
the roles of serving local affairs, Khum/Sangkat administration shall perform
the following duties:
Article 44:
Within
the agency function representing the State, a Khum/Sangkat administration shall
perform in compliance with Laws, Royal Decrees, Sub-Decrees, Proclamations and
other Legal Instruments concerned. In this case, the State Authority may
delegate powers to Khum/Sangkat together with capacity building, ways and
means, materials and budget for work performance. The above delegation of power
shall be applied to the Khum/Sangkat Council as a whole only.
Article 45:
Khum/Sangkat
Council shall have no power with the following affairs:
Article 46:
The
roles, duties, and powers of a Khum/Sangkat provided in Articles 43,44 and 45
of this Law, shall be applied only within the territory of its Khum/Sangkat. In
case that there are problems in connection with the competence of two or more
Khum/Sangkat, the Minister of Interior shall arrange for mediation between the
administrations concerned.
Article 47:
Roles
functions and powers of a Khum/Sangkat administration provided in Articles 43,
44, 45 and 46 of this Law, may be dealt with in details by a sub-decree
following the proposal of the Minister of interior.
Article 48:
A Khum/Sangkat shall have legislative and
executive powers. Legislative power of the Khum/Sangkat shall be exercised
through resolutions of the Khum/Sangkat to manage affairs with the framework of
its roles, functions and powers. Commune/ Sangkat resolutions shall be adopted
by the Khum/Sangkat Council and shall be signed by the Khum/Sangkat chief. A
Khum/Sangkat administration shall publicly and immediately publicize any
adopted resolutions within its Commune/ Sangkat.
Article 49:
The
Khum/Sangkat resolutions shall be effective for enforcement within its
territory only. The Khum/Sangkat resolutions shall not be contradictory to
international treaties and conventions, the spirit of the Constitution, laws,
Royal decrees, sub-decrees and proclamations and other legal instruments
concerned. Any resolution passed y a Khum/Sangkat administration and runs
counter to international treaties and conventions, to the spirit of the
Constitution, laws, Royal decrees, sub-decrees, proclamations and other legal
instruments concerned shall be considered null and void by the Minister of
interior.
Article 50:
The
Minister of interior shall provide Khum/Sangkat with forms and formalities to
prepare resolutions in accordance with the situation within the Khum/Sangkat.
Article 51:
Khum/Sangkat
Council may delegate powers to the Khum/Sangkat chief following the instruction
of the Minister of interior, except the following matters:
Article 52:
Khum/Sangkat
Council that delegates power to the Khum/Sangkat Chief is still responsible for
affairs for which powers are delegated.
The
revocation of delegated powers shall not affect the validity of affairs that
have already been performed.
Chapter 5:
Following-up, Monitoring, and Interventions
Article 53:
The
Minister of Interior shall establish the procedures for following-up and
monitoring general activities of a Khum/Sangkat in order to:
Article 54:
Any
Khum/Sangkat fails to implement duties required by laws, the Minister of
Interior must intervene immediately so that the duties required by laws are
implemented. Duties required by laws are ones that Khum/Sangkat Council is
obliged to perform in accordance with the requirements of Laws, Royal-Decrees,
Sub-Decrees, Proclamations and other Legal Instruments concerned of internal
rules and regulations and resolutions of the Khum/Sangkat.
Article 55:
Following
up, monitoring and intervening shall be included:
Article 56:
The
interventions taken under Paragraph 1 of article 55 of this Law shall be
reasonable and proportional to assignments that have not been carried out by
the Council as required by laws and necessary instructions and supports shall
be provided so that the Khum/Sangkat Council is able to normally perform there
assignments. The Minister of Interior shall have right to enter into a written
agreement with any person or organization or issue written instructions to
officials representing the Royal Government at Khet/Krong and Srok/Khan
administration to perform necessary assignments as an intervention on his/ her
behalf.
Article 57:
In
case that intervention which is taken to carry out any duties as required by
laws fails to achieve its result within 6 months and the Khum/Sangkat Council
is not able to perform assignments generally required by laws, the Minister of
Interior shall decide to dissolve the Khum/Sangkat Council and by election
shall be held in accordance with the requirements of this Law and the Law of
the Elections of the Khum/Sangkat Councils.
Article 58:
In
case that nay Khum/Sangkat Council conducts activities against The Royal
Government and national interests, the Minister of Interior shall immediately
dissolve the Khum/Sangkat Council and by-election shall be held for that
Khum/Sangkat Council in accordance with this Law and the Law on the Elections
of Khum/Sangkat Councils.
Article 59:
A
unit under the Ministry of Interior shall be established as headquarter to deal
with local administration.
The
organization and functioning of this unit shall be determined by a sub-decree
following the proposal of the Minister of Interior.
Chapter 6: Commune
Development Plans
Article 60:
Khum/Sangkat
Councils shall prepare, adopt and implement Khum/Sangkat development plans in
an effort to identify perception, program and the development of its
Khum/Sangkat.
Article 61:
Khum/Sangkat
development plans shall be compatible with national economic and social
development plans.
Article 62:
Khum/Sangkat
development plans shall be adopted by adopted by the Khum/Sangkat Council
within the fist year of its terms and shall be reviewed annually by its
Khum/Sangkat Council to update new data.
Article 63:
In
order to prepare Khum/Sangkat development plans Khum/Sangkat Council shall
have:
Article 64:
Khum/Sangkat
development plans shall be prepared in writing and shall have maps, statistics
and other relevant documents attached to it. Khum/Sangkat development plans
must also establish ways and means to enable participation from citizens of its
Khum/Sangkat in the whole process.
Article 65:
If
any Khum/Sangkat development plan does not follow the requirement provided in
this Law, the Minister of Interior shall instruct the Khum/Sangkat Council to
rectify its plans not later than 45 days after receiving the copy of these
plans. The Commune/ Sangkat Council must rectify its Khum/Sangkat development
plans in accordance with the instruction of the Minister of Interior.
Article 66:
Khum/Sangkat
Councils shall follow-up, monitor and evaluate the implementation of plans,
programs, projects and deliveries of services with transparency and great
responsibilities.
Article 67:
Khum/Sangkat
Council shall remain responsible for following-up, monitoring and evaluating
plans, programs and other projects regardless of whatsoever methods the Council
has chosen for the implementation.
Article 68:
The
Minister of Interior shall instruct Khum/Sangkat Councils on methods for
implementing and monitoring plans and evaluating the use of funds for commune/
Sangkat development plans.
Article 69:
Khum/Sangkat
Councils must prepare annual reports on:
Khum/Sangkat
Councils shall adopt this report within 45 days after the end of each fiscal
year.
Article 70:
After
being adopted by the Khum/Sangkat Council, a copy of the annual reports
provided in the Article 70 of this Law shall be: