Referendum 'not worth' the expense

Referendum 'not worth' the expense

Push for Public input on constitution

The public should be encouraged to help shape the new constitution and do more than simply vote "yes" or "no" at a referendum on the charter, senior political figures have claimed.

Jarungwit Phumma, a member of the National Reform Council, said a referendum may not actually be necessary if people had a real say during the constitution drafting process through inclusive public hearings.

He said a voluntary referendum on the constitution is not worth the time or cost it would incur, arguing a similar vote in 2007 was useless because the public knew little about the charter's content and only voted to pass it so that elections could take place.

"Because of the nature of a constitution, it is hard to design suitable questions for a referendum. I think the best approach would be to set up sub-committees and send them out to collect opinions on various issues," he said.

"This would be like a referendum, but on a smaller scale. I don't think there will be enough time to prepare for a full-on referendum after the draft charter is complete."

Mr Jarungwit said NRC members will attend a seminar today and tomorrow to discuss plans for public hearings, adding the council must forward its recommendations to the charter drafting committee shortly.

Former Democrat MP Apichart Sakdiseth agreed a referendum on the entire draft constitution could be a waste of state cash.

"In the 2007 referendum, people chose to accept or reject the charter as a whole. Many people accepted it despite disagreeing on certain points," he said.

"If we can ask the public to vote point by point, we should. If we can't, I think we would be better off gathering as much public input as possible, through public hearings during the drafting process. This process is far more important than a referendum."

Pheu Thai Party deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said a referendum would be no more than a tool for the military regime to justify the coup-sponsored charter.

He claimed a new draft will simply be initiated if the draft charter is rejected at a referendum, citing a provision in the interim constitution that allows for the process to be repeated.

"Let's get the draft charter over and done with and bring on the election," Mr Anusorn said. "Without a referendum, there will be no excuse to postpone an election."

Former senator Suradet Jirathiticharoen said he believed the interim charter stops short of requiring a compulsory referendum on the draft constitution because the military regime is afraid it will be rejected.

Election Commission member Prawit Rattanapian said a referendum can be organised if necessary, even though it is not required by the interim charter.

Mr Prawit, who is in charge of campaigning, public participation and referendums at the agency, said the EC is ready to hold a vote if instructed to.

Asked about speculation that a referendum could reignite social divisions, he said the National Council for Peace and Order's roadmap to democracy sets out mechanisms to ensure that all stakeholders can voice their opinions. 

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