Impeachment vote against 38 ex-senators to be held on March 13
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The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) is scheduled to vote on March 13 on whether or not to impeach the 38 former senators accused by the anti-graft agency of amending the previous constitution for their own benefit.
Representatives of the ex-senators yesterday defended themselves in their opening statement presented before an NLA meeting.
Former senator Direk Thuengfang, one of the group’s representatives, said none of them had any intention of amending the now-defunct charter for their own benefit. He said that although the amendment would allow then incumbent senators to seek re-election, it was uncertain that they would win.
The ex-senator also pointed out that the version of the constitution to which the National Anti-Corruption Commission is referring in its impeachment proceedings was abolished after the coup last May. So, he added, the case against them should also be dropped.
Former senator Singchai Thungthong, another representative of the ex-senators, told yesterday’s NLA gathering that the charter change was aimed at benefiting eligible voters by allowing them to elect senators directly. He dismissed the NACC allegation that the ex-senators amended the charter for their own benefit.
The NLA meeting yesterday resolved to schedule March 12 for both the NACC and the 38 former senators to present their closing statements in the case on March 12. And the assembly is scheduled to vote on the case the following day.
