MMP electoral system 'likely to be dumped'

A PANEL of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), which studies electoral systems, looks likely to drop the mixed-member proportional (MMP) system due to its complexity and technology issues.

The MMP system, used in Germany, was controversial when first proposed and was a part of the recently shot-down charter draft. Major political parties cried foul over the system, which was allegedly favoured to pave the way for a coalition government – to prevent “one-man rule” in the country and block the practice of “winner-takes-all”.

Amorn Wanichwiwatana, a vice chairman of the subcommittee whose main task is to study different legislative systems, revealed yesterday that the adoption of such an electoral system would require an electronic electoral process – but the Election Commission had said it was not ready and would need some time. 

“Hence, it would be impossible to adopt the MMP system for the next election. The CDC, it is very likely, would opt for something easier,” he said. 

The former CDC had adopted the system in an attempt to ensure that ballot results reflect the aspirations of all voters, as the number of seats allocated to political parties in Parliament would have been commensurate with the proportion of votes each party received nationwide. The system also offers small parties and independent candidates a chance to do better in the polls.

CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan said before the CDC meeting yesterday that the drafters would like the electoral method to be mathematically simple and not too complex as to require a maths degree to understand. If the drafters cannot come up with one, they might consider adapting from those of other countries, he added.

He said the drafters would meet with the subcommittee that studies legislative systems on Monday to discuss the issue of electoral systems. The media was welcome to observe the meeting, he added.

Meanwhile, Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, a law professor from Thammasat University, who had advocated the German system, told The Nation that although he had done a lot of research on the issue, it was up to the powers-that-be to decide which electoral system to adopt.

A former Democrat MP, Nipit Intrasombat, said he could accept the MMP system, as it would help prevent one party from having almost absolute power in the national administration. However, he said he would like to see what method the CDC would propose before making any further comment.

In a related development, the CDC’s sub-panel that studies executive bodies talked yesterday with Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, former chairman of the political reform committee under the now-defunct National Reform Council, about the structure of the executive body. However, Apichart Sukhagganond, chairman of the CDC sub-panel, refused to confirm if the body had finalised the matter.

Apichart said that currently his panel is studying different executive structures and it has given the CDC 12 projects for further study and deliberation.

However, Sombat revealed |that he had talked with the panel about the pluses and minuses of |the parliamentary system, saying that the major challenge to the Thai system was that most of the MPs came to power through election fraud. 

Thus, they sought to gain back what they had invested, he said, adding that having a prime minister who was also an MP was a part of the problem – as the PM would help the MPs get their investment back.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said it was for the CDC to decide whether the new charter should impose a life-ban on corrupt politicians, as suggested, and he was not aware of any such measures. 

But many foreign countries had such a measure, he said, adding the charter would have to go through a national referendum anyway.