The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Thursday voted 87-75 to accept for consideration an impeachment motion against former Senate speaker Nikom Wairatpanijand former House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranon.
National Legislative Assembly members vote on Thursday to accept for consideration an impeachment motion against Nikhom Wairatpanich and Somsak Kiatsuranon. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)
The decision was made behind closed doors after almost three and a half hours of in-camera debate on whether the NLA had a mandate to accept the impeachment motion against the two high-profile politicians, since the 2007 constitution was voided by the May 22 coup.
NLA member Sakchai Thanaboonchai proposed the discussion and the vote be carried out in secret, which was agreed to by the assembly with a vote of 96-1, with 75 abstentions.
The decision to accept the impeachment motion was finally passed by 87 to 75, with 15 abstentions.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission has asked the NLA, in its capacity as the acting senate, to impeach the pair for their support of an attempt to amend the 2007 constitution to make the Senate a fully elected chamber.
It is alleged the proposed amendment was an attempt by the Yingluck Shinawatra government to illegally seize state power.