Martial law 'may hinder referendum on new charter'
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Borwornsak Uwanno, president of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), said the prospect of a national referendum on the new constitution may be hindered by martial law - and suggested that provincial public hearings led by CDC subcommittees be held i
He made the remark at a meeting yesterday with representatives from Bhum Jai Thai and Chart Thai Pattana parties. The party members were at the meeting to offer views on political reform as part of the CDC’s most recent efforts to engage with the public.
CDC spokesman General Lertrat Ratanawanich explained that opinions provided by the two parties were valuable in drafting a new constitution. However, he said it was not conclusive, as drafters need to weigh all proposals and ideas.
Lertrat said one of the interesting points brought up was the dissolution of political parties, as the 2007 Constitution made it “too easy” for political parties to be abolished, hence politicians had nominees who were inexperienced and incompetent run the country. He said the charter drafters should keep this point in mind when writing the new charter.
Other than the dissolution of political parties and its consequences, Bhum Jai Thai and Chart Thai Pattana parties offered a few more interesting proposals on political reform.
Bhum Jai Thai suggested independent organisations or bureaucrats should not screen populist policies proposed by parties during election campaigns. However, this proposal goes against Article 35 of the interim charter, which states that the new constitution should provide mechanisms to regulate populist policies.
The party also proposed that the term of members of parliament should not be limited because it could disrupt progress on their projects.
Chart Thai Pattana’s proposed a focus on checks and balances, explaining that in the past the executive and legislative sectors had been “too friendly” with one another and hence were ineffective in regulating each other.
The party also favoured decentralisation of power, saying resources should be allocated to local people so they can look after themselves. The party also said it supported the idea of holding a referendum so the public can have a better understanding of the charter and have a hand in its implementation.
