PDRC calls for end to party-list MPs in proposal to CDC
Play
The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) has proposed that the new constitution do away with party-list MPs, reasoning that these lawmakers have no connections with constituents and that the system offers avenues for them to seek personal benefits.
This was among several ideas the PDRC presented to the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) yesterday.
While the previous government’s ruling Pheu Thai Party deliberately avoided making any contributions to the new charter, the PDRC dispatched five leaders to present not only what the group wants to see in the constitution, but also which state agencies and sectors are in dire need of reform.
PDRC spokesman Ekanat Promphan said the proposals it submitted to the CDC resulted from the brainstorming sessions of PDRC supporters during the 204-day protest in Bangkok against the elected Yingluck Shinawatra government.
The proposals are as follows:
l In order to strengthen political parties, they should have branches in all provinces and have members accounting for more than 5 per cent of eligible voters in each province;
l The Election Commission should only have the authority to manage elections, not disqualify candidates or MPs. EC members must be appointed under a fair selection system;
l The tradition of party-list MPs should be removed, as they are not efficient;
l Senators should be appointed, not elected;
l The general public should be allowed to file corruption cases in court and those convicted of corruption offences should have their assets confiscated and be banned from politics for life;
l Provincial governors, kamnan and village heads should be elected and serve a two-year term.
The PDRC also called on the CDC to allow public hearings for the new charter even though martial law is in force, reasoning that this would help ensure the longevity of the constitution. The group also supports a plebiscite for the charter draft.
Ekanat said he was not sure if the charter would include limited amnesty as reported or if any political groups would protest against it.
CDC spokesman General Lertrat Ratanavanich said the PDRC had also proposed the decentralisation of the Royal Thai Police and banning prosecutors from holding positions on the boards of state agencies.
The group also proposed that ordinary citizens be allowed to operate alternative-energy businesses, instead of leaving it up to large corporations.
Lertrat said Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was scheduled to present his party’s proposal to the CDC on Saturday. All 74 political parties will be given a chance to debate the contents of the new charter early next year.
