Clergy must be given the right to vote, says seminar
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Buddhist monks, nuns and other clergy should be allowed to vote, a seminar agreed yesterday.
The seminar, held at Parliament on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of democracy in Thailand, was organised by the National Human Rights Commission, the Senate committee on consumer protection and the Anfrel Foundation (Asian Network for Free Elections).
The panellists agreed that it was unfair to prohibit Buddhist monks, nuns and other clergy members from casting votes in elections. Under the Thai Constitution they are currently barred from voting in national elections or referendums.
Sriprapha Phetmeesri, a lecturer of Mahidol University, said voting was a basic human right and guaranteed by international laws. She noted that Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka could vote while monks in Vietnam could even run in parliamentary elections.
Nirand Pithakwatchara, a member of National Human Rights Commission, said that since voting was a basic human right, the Election Commission (EC) should find a way to allow the underprivileged, inmates and clergy to vote. He said the government was required by Article 87 of the Constitution to protect citizens’ basic human rights.
Paibul Nititawan, an appointed senator, said Article 100 (1) would have to be amended as it currently prohibits monks, novices, priests and other clergy from voting. He said prohibiting the clergy from voting was an outdated edict from more than 80 years ago, which no longer had any bearing on today’s society.
He said nuns could be given the vote, even before charter amendments were made, if the Royal Institute redefined them as laypersons rather than clergy. The new definition would automatically give nuns the vote, Paibul said.
Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Thai Constitution Protection Organisation, said the EC should issue directives or regulations to allow the underprivileged and stateless people to vote.
She added that the King Prajadhipok Institute should launch awareness campaigns for the underprivileged, the disabled and other people to help them realise their constitutional rights – especially the right to sponsor draft legislation.
