NLA okays meeting rules
Play
The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) yesterday voted to accept the draft on meeting regulations, which includes provisions to impeach politicians.
The NLA began its session acknowledging the royal endorsement of Nurak Mapraneet as Constitutional Court chairman, Worawit Wangsasitiam as a Constitutional Court judge and Supa Piyajitti as a National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) member.
Then, a vote on the NLA meeting draft was called, and it passed with a 171:2 vote and three abstentions.
The NLA also resolved to give the drafting committee three days to further scrutinise the bill and make any alterations that may be needed.
NLA member Wallop Tangkananurak asked the panel why the bill included provisions on the impeachment of politicians and questioned if the interim charter empowered members with such a role.
The panel spokesman Tuang Untachai cited the Constitution’s Article 6, saying NLA members carried out the duties of MPs and senators. He said the committee drafted the provision in accordance with the NACC Act.
NLA member Thani Onlahiad said that though the interim charter did not specify NLA’s role in impeachment, the NACC Act said 19 types of political-office holders can be impeached.
He said if the NLA did not have the right to impeach officials, the committee should not include the provision.
He suggested that the NLA seek a Constitutional Court ruling to find out if the NLA had the jurisdiction to impeach politicians, otherwise it risked being accused of overstepping its role.
