No plan to restructure agencies, Meechai assures
Chief charter drafter Meechai Ruchupan has rejected speculation that the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) is considering restructuring independent agencies, including the Election Commission.
The speculation surfaced after Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn remarked on Tuesday that the CDC must restructure all agencies if it was considering doing so to the EC.
Meechai said yesterday the CDC has not addressed the issue at any of its meetings and it has not had any thoughts on the issue. He urged all sides to stop speculating.
The CDC, he said, would meet with concerned parties on September 28 and listen to their views before taking any action.
Meechi was asked if he thought the EC would need restructuring, as the appointment of two additional commissioners would possibly cause differences in work style. He replied that different work style should not be an excuse; as people have to work with others with various backgrounds.
CDC spokesman Chatchai na Chiangmai said the commission’s sub-panel on public hearing has sent invitations to parties’ representatives to listen to their views on the drafting of the political party and the House of Representatives election bills. Other concerned agencies have also been invited to contribute. Regional meetings would also be held for locals to air their views on other organic laws concerning public interest, he added.
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court said it would look into the CDC’s revision of the charter draft following the additional question approved on the referendum last month. It asked people whether they would allow the appointed Senate to jointly choose a prime minister.
The court is set to deliver its constitutional verdict on September 28.
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