FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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NACC explains to court about appointments

NACC explains to court about appointments

THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has submitted its explanation to the Constitutional Court in regard to its commissioners’ controversial terms of appointment, NACC president Pol General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit said yesterdday.

Watcharapol said the NACC meeting resolved the issue yesterday, agreeing to submit the explanation to the court, and insisting that the NACC commissioners’ terms do not violate the charter.
This is because the provisional chapter allows the National Legislative Assembly to decide the fate of members of independent organisations, Watcharapol said.
However, Watcharapol added, it is up to the court to decide on the case.
The Constitutional Court last Friday accepted a petition by some NLA members, asking it to review whether amendments to an approved anti-graft law were constitutional. 
The court is examining an amendment made by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) concerning the qualifications of the current National Anti Corruption Commissioners.
The Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) had originally drafted the NACC law governing the body, allowing NACC commissioners to remain in office only if they met qualifications or were not disqualified as stipulated in the charter. 
The NLA then passed the organic law, amending it with the waiver of some disqualifications of the body’s members addressed in the charter, resulting in all members remaining in office. 
Some 32 NLA members decided to propose that its president forward their petition to the court, asking it to rule whether the amended law is constitutional or not. 
Watcharapol, and some other NACC commissioners have had their qualifications questioned; they either lacked qualifications or had areas of disqualification under the charter.
The Court has required representatives of the NLA, the CDC, and the NACC to submit their explanations by February 5.

‘No plan to resign’
Watcharapol has also dismissed calls demanding he resign from the top post, saying he entered the office legitimately, under the terms of the 2007 charter as well as the 1999 NACC law.
He was determined to work hard, and would not be sensitive to every issue that arises, Watcharapol |said.
“We can be both liked or disliked, and if we do not hold firm on what we are, we would easily step back, and the country would not move forwards,” said Watcharapol. 
“If he was qualified, he should be given a chance to work, he said. If he was not qualified, there was a legal procedure to pursue against him, and he was ready to leave.
 

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