FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

NACC welcomes court ruling on commissioners’ qualifications

NACC welcomes court ruling on commissioners’ qualifications

National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) president Pol General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit on Wednesday dismissed concerns that the recent charter court ruling over the NACC commissioners’ qualifications would trigger a new controversy, saying it would rather pave the way for a smooth working process in the future.

The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) in December voted to approve the new national anti-corruption bill, which contained an amendment to allow some of the current anti-graft commissioners with qualifications prohibited under the charter to stay in office.
Some critics thought that this contradicted the spirit of the charter and that, in future, other lawmakers might try to exploit the ruling to use their endorsed authority to write bills that benefit their own interests and damage those of the public.
This prompted 32 NLA members to petition the Constitutional Court to rule whether it was constitutional. Last Friday, the court ruled that the clause in the bill as written was not unconstitutional.
Watcharapol said the country adheres to the rule of law, and as such the ruling should not pose a problem.
With the ruling, Watcharapol said, the NACC commissioners could proceed with their work smoothly, and implement the new law that provides them more clearcut work processes and timeframes.
NACC commissioner Wittaya Akompitak said he felt relieved when he heard about the court ruling. The public would no longer question the commissioners’ qualifications, and they could proceed with their work without any worries.
The ruling, he said, is final, and abides by the charter.

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