CDC's parliament reforms pose 'threat' to democracy

CDC's parliament reforms pose 'threat' to democracy

The Constitution Drafting Committee's (CDC) proposals on how to select the prime minister, MPs and the Senate risk undermining democracy, National Reform Council (NRC) member Direk Thuengfang warned yesterday. 

Mr Direk was responding to four proposals put forward by the CDC. The plans say that a future prime minister does not have to be an MP; that 250 MPs would be drawn from constituencies and 200 through proportional representation; that an MP does not need to be a member of a party; and that 200 senators would be appointed rather than elected. 

The proposals are aimed at stopping vote buying, but could weaken democracy and take power away from the people, Mr Direk said. 

The plans will also worsen social conflicts, since post-election governments would try and find ways to change the reforms, which would in turn spark opposition. He said the cycle of conflict could eventually end with another coup. 

Mr Direk urged the CDC to stick to democratic principles rather than proposing drastically unconventional ideas. 

The four proposals are not the right solution to the country's political problems, he said, adding that some reports suggest the plans are aimed at crippling the power of big political parties.

Opposition to the proposals is expected to intensify once they are forwarded to the NRC, with several council members now asking whether the CDC has a hidden agenda, Mr Direk said.

He also questioned why CDC chairman Bowornsak Uwanno promptly opposed the proposal for a directly-elected prime minister, put forward by Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, who chairs the NRC's political reform committee. 

The CDC should be more open to a diversity of opinions, Mr Direk said. 

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has informed the chiefs of its provincial offices to help vet the qualifications of former local officials who are due to be reinstated following a National Council for Peace and Order command on Thursday.

The order said elected members of local administrative bodies may resume their duties in the current situation where "an election cannot be held".

Those who want to be reinstated must report to provincial EC offices from tomorrow until Monday, EC deputy secretary-general Boonkiat Rakchartcharoen said.

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