Bangkok: "Prit" unveiled progress on the Constitution Drafting Committee model, noting the absence of any proposal for a directly elected Constituent Assembly (CAC) from any party. He expressed regret over the majority of committee members dismissing the idea of voting booths and is now advocating for a "20 pick 1" formula to prevent a monopoly on drafters. The goal is to proceed with the second and third readings by the end of December.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Panusaya Wacharasindhu, a party-list MP for the People's Party and party spokesman, shared updates on the parliamentary committee's review of the draft constitutional amendment. This draft will guide the key mechanisms for drafting a new constitution. Despite the Constitutional Court's ruling against direct citizen selection of constitutional drafters, no political party has proposed a CA mechanism elected by the people. In the first reading on October 14th, the model presented by three political parties showed no proposals for a CA directly elected by the public.
The People's Party's draft is based on two essential mechanisms and was chosen by parliament as the main draft for committee-level consideration. These mechanisms are: 1. Ensuring maximum public participation without conflicting with the Constitutional Court's decision, and 2. Preventing any single party or color from monopolizing the process. The committee has voted on three related proposals.
The first proposal in the People's Party's draft suggests establishing a directly elected advisory council, tasked with gathering public opinion but not drafting a constitution. However, this mechanism was removed by a majority vote of 23 committee members.
The second proposal involves allowing citizens to screen drafters of the constitution in voting booths before final selection by Parliament. Despite efforts to promote citizen participation, a majority of the 14-member committee voted against this mechanism.
The third proposal suggests that Parliament select constitutional drafters using a 20-person, 1-person formula instead of a majority criterion. In this configuration, a 700-member Parliament (MPs and Senators) would have 35 drafters, with each of the 20 members of Parliament selecting one drafter. This approach aims to prevent monopolization by any party and to reflect diverse ideas within Parliament and society. The committee agreed to this formula.
Mr. Pris emphasized the significance of the "20 pick 1" formula, warning that without it, a majority criterion could allow a single party to dominate the selection of drafters, potentially monopolizing the process. He noted that the committee's resolution was both disappointing and encouraging, as it successfully included the "20 pick 1" formula in the draft, ensuring that the parliamentary selection process for constitutional candidates is not monopolized by one party.
Mr. Panusaya addressed criticisms of the "20 pick 1" formula, acknowledging it might not be a complete solution since the public did not participate in the initial screening of drafters. The committee did not approve the People's Party's proposal to have the public screen 70 drafters before Parliament's selection of 35. No other anti-monopoly methods were proposed beyond the "20 pick 1" formula.
There is concern that the absence of a Constituent Assembly (CAA) as proposed by the Pheu Thai Party committee would reduce public connections, but Mr. Panusaya clarified that the CA proposed was not elected by the people, and no vote on its origins was conducted.
Mr. Panusaya confirmed that the People's Party committee will work diligently to finalize the constitutional amendment draft before the end of November, aiming for a special parliamentary session in early December. The law requires completion of the third reading within 15 days after the second reading, by the end of December.
Mr. Pris expressed optimism about the constitutional amendment draft passing its second and third readings, emphasizing the need to complete the consideration by November. He reiterated the People's Party's conditions for the government's convening of an extraordinary session to consider the amendments.
Mr. Pris also outlined the People's Party's proposal to have the public initially vote on drafters, reducing the number to 70, before Parliament selects the remaining 35. The committee's majority voted against this, opting instead for an open application process. The Election Commission (EC) will oversee the qualification and disqualification process, potentially easing Parliament's burden.
Discussion continues on whether each applicant should have a guarantor of 100 eligible voters, with pros and cons debated. The rules are expected to be finalized soon. Public transparency of guarantor names is suggested to prevent misuse.
Mr. Panusaya confirmed that all mechanisms are in place to ensure readiness for any potential scenarios, with MPs and Senators having discretion in the 20-person, pick-one-person formula to propose names proportionally.