Final draft put on the table for NRC scrutiny
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The final Constitution Draft will today be put on the table for the first time for the National Reform Council (NRC) to scrutinise. Its representatives will share their thoughts regarding the charter draft, which the public and many political observers sp
The most controversial topics about which reformers had already voiced concerns were:
- Source of Prime Minister
Many reformers disagreed over the stipulation the PM would not be required to be a representative.
- Source of Representatives members of parliament(MPs) and Senators
Open-list system for representatives would give an opportunity for the people to rearrange the candidate list themselves.
Senators would come from three sources – first, 77 elected senators from each province; second, selected from professional organisations; and third, from a pool of experts. Reformers were concerned about how they would select the second and third sources.
- Political groups to participate in Parliamentary system
Many NRC members and politicians opposed the draft’s proposal that political groups could participate in the Parliamentary system.
- Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) election system
Concerns were voiced the system was difficult for people to understand. Also, the MMP would weaken political parties and the system itself might increase the number of governments based on a coalition.
Questions are still being raised about whether the system would be suitable for Thailand.
- Reconciliation Committee
Members working along with the committee could grant pardons to the guilty who’ve given truthful information and shown remorse to the reconciliation committee.
- National Ethical Committee
Has too much authority in judging ethics and morality of politicians.
- Merging of the National Human Rights Commission and the Office of Ombudsman
Conflicting ideas emerged whether the groups should be merged together. Some supported the idea, many were opposed to it.
