The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) must be held responsible for any future political crises if it rejects the cabinet charter proposal seeking to allow the military regime to keep the peace during the transition to civilian rule, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam says.
However, he said the CDC may ignore the recommendation if it is confident that its draft charter has efficient mechanisms to handle conflicts if they happen after the election.
Mr Wissanu stressed that the cabinet proposal is meant to prevent a repeat of the political crisis that culminated in the May 22 coup.
Before the coup, corruption and interference in independent bodies were rampant while the country was mired in social division and political conflict, leading to street protests, a House dissolution, and a failed general election, Mr Wissanu said.
The cabinet wanted the CDC to provide a guarantee that these problems will not happen again after the general election.
However, such a proposal is not necessary if the CDC devises enough measures to prevent any future political problems, Mr Wissanu said.
The proposal is one of 16 by the cabinet forwarded to the CDC for consideration as the committee revises the draft charter.
Under the proposal, a temporary charter clause should be introduced to allow the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to maintain peace and order after the general election and during the switch to a new government.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha insisted on Tuesday that the nation needs a special panel, or chamber of selected senators, for five years after a general election to ensure the new government follows the guidelines on national reform.
Such a guarantee is essential during the transition period, otherwise national reform plans would not be implemented, he said, adding reforms are for the people's best interests, not his own.
Mr Wissanu met CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan Wednesday evening to discuss the recommendation.
After the meeting, Mr Meechai assured that the NCPO will not be given power over a newly elected government.
He said no organisations with special powers will be set up under the new charter.
The CDC chairman said the drafters had not bowed to pressure from the government, adding that the new charter will not contain a provision that will lead to a "half-baked democracy".
Asked if there should be a mechanism stipulated in the draft constitution for dealing with a political deadlock after the general election, Mr Meechai said "it is unlikely".
Mr Wissanu also said after the meeting that the government had asked the CDC to consider whether the draft charter can cope with the current political conflict. There would be no problem if the draft can respond to the problems, Mr Wissanu said.
Critics have slammed the controversial proposal as a move by the military regime to exert control over a new government and prolong its hold on power.
"There is no problem if the CDC insists the draft charter is perfect. But you have to take responsibility if any incidents happen in the future. We try to ask you to consider all the incidents that occurred before May 22. Similar incidents could happen again," Mr Wissanu said.
Regarding Gen Prayut's proposal that the NCPO should be allowed to maintain security for five years after the election, Mr Wissanu said that a temporary measure to maintain order is needed during the transition period, though it may not last that long.
Nattawut Saikuar, a key figure of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said the government's proposal to retain the NCPO's power would mean an elected government would be under the control of a dictatorship.
There is no guarantee that the NCPO will step down from power when the proposed five-year transition period comes to an end, Mr Nattawut said.
Jatuporn Prompan, another UDD leader, claimed that some political groups, political parties and those in power will strike a power-sharing deal after the draft charter passes the referendum, expected in July.
Mr Jatuporn said that under the deal, those in charge would gain 60% of the power while some political groups and political parties will be given 40% in exchange for supporting the draft charter in the referendum.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said Wednesday that even the charter drafters themselves were not sure about what they should do with the proposal.
The former prime minister also said the government's proposal to retain power for the NCPO demonstrated there was a lack of confidence on the part of the administration.
It shows that even the government is not sure if what it has done can solve the country's problems, Mr Abhisit said.
Mr Abhisit also warned Gen Prayut to keep his promise to stick to the government's roadmap to return to democracy with a general election scheduled to be held by 2017.
Supreme Commander Gen Sommai Kaotira said soldiers will be allowed to vote freely on whether to accept or reject the draft charter.
