EC gains some power, loses some power under proposals
The Election Commission would have more power to close polling stations but would lose the power to disqualify election candidates under proposals made by the Constitution Drafting Commission.
The CDC resolved to increase the EC’s power by allowing just one EC member to decide whether to suspend voting at polling stations over suspected electoral fraud and calling for a re-election.
The current law allows a full panel of EC members to decide on election suspensions, which is deemed not practical, said CDC spokesman Amorn Wanitwiwat.
The EC would continue to have the power to issue yellow cards to election candidates suspected of electoral fraud.
But it would have to seek a Supreme Court ruling to issue red cards or disqualify election candidates suspected of committing electoral fraud.
The EC would have the right to order an investigation and a new public referendum if there is evidence the referendum is illegal.
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