CDC ready to release draft bill on political parties
The initial draft of the organic bill on political parties is being released by the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) Wednesday to garner public opinions before it launches an official version next week. However, the new version of the bill no longer includes the party-dissolution penalty.
CDC chief Meechai Ruchupan said drafters will submit the final draft of the bill to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), which is entitled by the Constitution to make amendments and decide on the final version of the law.
Meechai said that although the initial version of the draft does not include party dissolution as a penalty, a party can still lose its status if it goes against conditions set in the law, such as bankruptcy.
If parties are found guilty of any of the crimes stipulated in the charter, they would be punished accordingly, he added.
As for boosting participation within the party, Meechai explained that the organic law specified that party members must have a hand in choosing the party’s board members.
To establish a new party, founding members should contribute at least Bt2,000 each to ensure the party has sufficient funds for operation, he added.
