The opening session of Cambodia ’s new parliament will be held as scheduled on September 23 with the participation of 68 new law-makers from the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) despite opposition's warning of a boycott, said analysts.

According to Teav Saramony, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Cambodia Light newspaper which is published in Khmer language, an amendment to the constitution in 2006 allows for a 50 percent plus one majority in the National Assembly to form a government.

As a result, there would be no obstacle for the CPP to set up the leadership of the parliament and form the government, irrespective of whether the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) attends or not, he noted.

Earlier on September 21, a group of the opposition party supporters submitted a petition to King Norodom Sihamoni, urging him to postpone the opening session of new parliament.

CNRP Chairman Sam Rainsy on September 20 also sent a letter to the King, saying that CNRP legislators will not attend the opening session as the ruling CPP and CNRP have yet to reach any agreement.
Cambodia held a general election on July 28. The official results showed that the ruling CPP of Prime Minister Hun Sen won 68 out of the 123 parliamentary seats, and the CNRP of opposition leader Sam Rainsy got 55 seats.

The CNRP rejected the results, claiming serious vote fraud and demanding the formation of an independent poll probe committee, but the CPP rejected the request, saying the move was against the country's constitution and the election results were already ratified.

King Norodom Sihamoni last week invited all the 123 elected lawmakers to attend the opening session on September 23.-VNA