Sources say that the members of the NSA might not be able to do any work during their first session days because they are in a stalemate.
According to the sources, the 16 members of the 14th NSA cannot reach a compromise to elect their presiding officers.“There are literally two parties in the NSA,” a source said. “Each of the parties has proposed differing names for the offices of the Speaker, Vice-speaker, and the Floor Leader; and none of the parties is willing to give in on its choices.”The NSA is comprised 8 elected members (representing the 8 villages of the state) and the 8 highest ranking chiefs of the state – Rteai – who, in accordance with the state’s constitution, are automatic members for life.Ngarchelong State voters went to the polls on August 26 to elect new members of the NSA and in the process established the 14th NSA.Current members of the NSA have declined to comment on the issue; however, some have said that a meeting for all of the members is of outmost importance.“We are very hopeful that we would all meet as early as next week,” an NSA member said. “We need to get organized no matter who we support in order that we can begin to work as an assembly for the people.”As far as who are likely to be elected officers of the NSA, no one was willing to reveal any names.
