Cambodian ruling party poised to sweep Senate elections; few can vote, body has little power

( Heng Sinith / Associated Press ) - Cambodia residents line up at a polling station in Ta Khmau town in Kandal province, some 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012. Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen’s party was expected to sweep Senate elections Sunday in a vote that is closed to the general population and criticized for lacking credibility.

By Associated Press,

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s party is expected to sweep Senate elections in a vote that is closed to the general population and criticized for lacking credibility.

The country’s 61-member upper house of Parliament is being chosen Sunday by local officials and members of the National Assembly, or lower house. Two seats are appointed by King Norodom Sihamoni and two by the National Assembly.

In the last Senate election in 2006, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party won 45 seats, followed by the royalist Funcinpec party with 10. Two seats went to the opposition Sam Rainsy Party.

The Senate has no power to amend or veto legislation and is widely seen as an ineffectual body that rubber-stamps bills from the lower house, which the ruling party dominates.