NACC to investigate backers of charter change draft

Vicha Mahakhun, an NACC commissioner, said yesterday the agency would open its first inquiry and launch an investigation process to find out whether these lawmakers had committed wrongful acts. Later, they will invite both complainants and defendants to testify.
He said the inquiry would take around one month, but he could not say whether the case would be finished before February 2, the day of the next election.
Commenting on the “People’s Council” called for by anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, Vicha said that this could be done through an executive decree and the caretaker government could be allowed to proceed with such a move as a possible way out of the political impasse. He said such a council would be responsible for political reform, but could not act as an alternative House of Representatives.
He disagreed with a proposal for a royally appointed prime minister, saying there was no law allowing such a move.
Asked whether caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra could step down, as demanded by the protesters, Vicha declined comment, but recalled that this had happened when Thaksin Shinawatra was in power. Thaksin had stepped down as caretaker prime minister, with Pol General Chidchai Vanasatidya appointed to perform prime ministerial duties.