EC concerned over additional referendum question
Play
Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn Friday voiced concern over an additional referendum question asking whether Senate should select a prime minster, saying it would confuse voters.
The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Thursday approved the question to be added in a charter referendum scheduled on August 7. The question was read “In order to continue country reform accordance to national strategic plan should the charter state in a provisional clause that in the first set of Parliament, a joint meeting of Parliament [composing of House of Representatives and Senate], should be allowed to approve a prime minister?”
The question is too long, appears as a leading question and paving the way to a designated answer, and contains with jargon, which was difficult and would cause a confusion to voters, Somchai said.
He said a referendum question should be simple words, short, and neutral without giving reason before asking. The NLA could give explanation separately from the question, he added.
