Prayut affirms election next year even if charter draft rejected
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Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha affirmed Tuesday that the next election will take place next year even if the draft constitution is rejected by the public in a national referendum.
"No matter whether the draft constitution passes the referendum or not, the government will hold the election in 2017 according to our roadmap," Prayut told reporters.
The charter draft is speculated to be voted down in the referendum as several politicians, especially red-shirt leaders and Pheu Thai leading members, vowed to campaign for the rejection of the draft on ground that its provisions are not fully democratic.
Among other things, they see that the Constitution Court will become a super body that has more authority over an elected government.
On Monday, Constitution Drafting Commission Chariman Meechai Ruchuphan said if his draft is rejected, the 2014 interim charter may be adopted as the new constitution.
