Many fear charter-related crisis: poll
Fewer than half the respondents to a recent survey by Abac Poll approved a move to amend the Constitution, with many believing the attempt could bring about a political crisis because the change would be geared for politicians' interests and not that of t
Of 2,298 respondents, 67 per cent feared charter amendment might result in political violence; 41 per cent believed the government was running the country with difficulty under the current charter, (but 30 per cent did not believe so); and 44 per cent believed it was a good time to amend the charter, while 29 per cent did not believe so.
However, 70 per cent agreed with amending the charter to remove appointed senators; 62 per cent believed the current charter was good enough at protecting people’s basic rights; and 47 per cent believed politicians benefited from the charter change, not members of the public.
Green group coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said it would not be easy for the coalition parties to take a short cut to amend the charter by resorting to their voting majority because all 17 previous charters received public approval through referendum.
He said the ruling Pheu Thai Party must seek a public referendum to determine if people across the country approved the charter amendment. Besides, Article 122 of the Constitution also banned MPs and senators from carrying out their duties with conflicts of interest. He said he believed MPs and senators teamed up to decide who should endorse their signatures supporting amendment of provisions which do not concern them, to prevent being charged with violating Article 122.
The Green group is planning to file a petition seeking a Constitution Court ruling if the charter amendment is in violation of Article 122. The group is also transcribing taped scripts of all lawmakers who took to the House floor and would file complaints with the National Anti-Corruption Commission if they are believed to have violated the law.
