FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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CDC inundated with queries from the NLA and the NRSA

CDC inundated with queries from the NLA and the NRSA

Meechai clarifies on key points and says he will take objections into account.

THE CONSTITUTION Drafting Commission (CDC) yesterday faced a long list of inquiries in regard to its drafting work on the new charter from members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) and the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) during their meeting at Parliament yesterday.
The inquiries challenged almost all of the sections the CDC has introduced, ranging from a new single-ballot electoral system, the MPs, the senators, the PM candidates lists, as well as the empowered Constitutional Court.
The drafters were asked to explain to them, for instance, how the newly proposed electoral system is better than the others, as well as how the new draft could deal with corruption or electoral fraud. Also, they asked about the transitory provisions that would to some extent determine the fate of the so-called “five rivers”.
The drafters responded to some of the inquiries and promised to give further explanations in the form of proper documents because some issues were complicated and would take time to explain.
The CDC yesterday met formally with the NLA and the NRSA with the principal purpose of explaining to them the content of the charter draft before they make formal recommendations and submit to it by mid-February.
The CDC had released its initial charter draft last week and is currently working to publicise its work to the public so they could also give opinions on the draft.
“Before we started working on this draft, we had consulted concerned agencies and concluded that we should work on whole new content so that it would not be tied with any limitation of any previous version. It must be perfect, and it must be tight, with the goals to achieve solutions for corruption, lack of discipline, as well as loose law enforcement,” chief drafter Meechai Ruchupan said at the beginning of the meeting.
Meechai said the charter draft follows Article 35 – the framework of constitution writing – of the interim charter very strictly. The points included mechanisms to keep corrupt people away from politics. Besides, the drafters also had taken into account that the three major challenges for the country were – corruption, discipline, and law enforcement. Hence, the CDC had crafted the new constitution accordingly.
Meechai explained point by point how articles in the new charter will serve the framework. With regard to corruption, for instance, the Election Commission is empowered to issue yellow cards to fraud-prone candidates. Besides, the qualifications and disqualifications of electioneers are also more intense.
Regarding the lack of discipline and the poor law enforcement, Meechai explained that reform plans on education and the police could work to boost them.
He also clarified on the contentious points that have been drawing criticism. On rights and liberties, Meechai reassured they were not less than what were provided in previous constitutions. More importantly, they addressed properly the state’s duties to make sure those rights could be enjoyed.
On the issue of prime minister which many fear would pave the way for an outsider, Meechai explained that the candidates must be proposed only by political parties and must be approved by the House.
The CDC, he said, cannot stipulate to prohibit a non-MP because on the day the lists are proposed, nobody is really an MP as an election has not taken place yet.
Meechai conceded that many points raised by the NLA and the NRSA members made him aware of the charter content. His team had noted them and would table them for serious contemplation, he said.
The meeting lasted for around two hours before being wrapped up. NLA member Surachai Liengboonlertchai said the assembly would take the CDC’s explanations into consideration in its recommendations, set to be made tomorrow at the NLA meeting. The NRSA, meanwhile, is scheduled to do the same next Monday.
Despite a long list of inquiries, the overall mood at the meeting was calm and it was conducted smoothly.
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