Ball in public’s court; let’s not be found wanting
After the previous constitution draft written by a committee headed by Borwornsak Uwanno was rejected by the National Reform Council last year, many people were worried that a new draft would fail again. There was even concern that no legal expert would a
However, Meechai Ruchupan, the country’s leading legal expert who has been with the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) from the beginning, took upon himself the task. Two other leading legal experts, Borwornsak and Wissanu Krea-ngam, were unavailable. Wissanu has served as deputy prime minister in charge of the government’s legal affairs. Borwornsak was heartbroken after his draft was rejected by the NRC.
It was a big gamble for Meechai to accept the job of leading the Constitution Drafting Commission. For a legal expert of his stature, it would be an embarrassing loss of face if his draft failed to pass the referendum. Such a scenario would also pile up pressure on the junta, as it would have to end up writing a new constitution and its legitimacy would be at risk.
Initially, it was believed that Meechai’s draft would be able to sail through the national vote easily, thanks mainly to the fact that the NCPO has exercised control over the country’s politics after the coup of 2014. Critics faced legal action if they campaigned for people to. vote against the draft.
However, as time went by, the outlook has become uncertain for the draft charter. The outreach to the public about the referendum has been low key. Many people have no understanding about the draft’s content. Several eligible voters are opting not to vote while others plan to vote in accordance with their beliefs, without knowing anything much about the merits or demerits of the draft.
Despite restrictions by authorities, people have been able to communicate through social media and the Internet, which serve as efficient and powerful tools for disseminating opinions.
Many eligible voters have learned to avoid commenting publicly about the draft charter. They prefer to exchange views with like-minded people in closed online chat groups. Opinion leaders in communities and local politicians also can communicate with their supporters through social media. And they no longer need to meet them in person, which could attract the attention of authorities.
Interestingly, many people have become frustrated with the NCPO exercising power in a way that affects their rights and feelings. The resultant dissatisfaction certainly could influence how those people would vote in Sunday’s referendum. Although the vote is on the draft charter, for many observers the referendum also could serve as a litmus test on public acceptance of the NCPO.
Many voters certainly will rely on one or a few issues of interest in the draft constitution to decide whether to vote for or against it.
There has been dissatisfaction with the draft charter. Some people are unhappy that there is only little public participation in the drafting process. Others see that provisions in the new charter are unlikely to help tackle the country’s problems as intended. So it is not surprising that many people have announced that they will vote against the draft.
We eligible voters can determine our future by casting votes in this Sunday’s referendum. You can make your decision known at the ballot box. We would like to urge all eligible voters to exercise their voting rights for the sake of our country’s future. You have the power to decide what is good for the country.