A group of 150 prominent figures on Sunday released a statement calling on the military government to hold a national referendum on the new constitution and proposed three actions to deal with charter drafts now and in the future.
The statement was signed by academics, activists, artists, media personnel, politicians, students and members of labour unions. The group's name translates informally as “The Group for a Democratic Referendum”.
Among the 150 supporting the “democratic referendum” campaign are former Thammasat University (TU) rector Charnvit Kasetsiri, respected academic and former Chiang Mai University lecturer Nidhi Eiewsriwong, TU political scientist Kasien Techapira, internationally acclaimed film director Pen-ek Ratanaruang, National artist Suchart Sawatsi, former education minister Jaturon Chaisaeng and Surapong Suebwonglee, a former deputy prime minister in the Thaksin Shinawatra administration.
The group’s statement outlined three major proposals relating to the charter draft and the referendum for the government, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and other key governing bodies to consider. They suggest if the draft constitution is voted down by the National Reform Council (NRC), a new Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) must be created and its members elected by the people.
If the NRC votes to pass the draft, a public referendum must be held within 30 days.
In the situation where the public disagreed with the draft or it does not pass a referendum, the election of the new CDA members shall be completed in 45 days. The panel is required to complete drafting within 90 days. After that the draft shall be put up for national referendum after no more than 30 days. If the draft passes the referendum, an election must be held in the next 60 days.
“If the people disapprove the draft constitution, the NRC and the Constitution Drafting Committee can still draft another constitution through the same process,” the statement said. “This means the authority to create a new charter remains in the hands of the NCPO, the NRC and the CDA, while the people are not allowed to take part again."
“Voting in a referendum under such circumstances gives no alternative to voters and does not reflect the people's true opinions, which is contrary to the purpose of the referendum.”