Charter amendment not constitutional

Charter amendment not constitutional

The Constitution Court on Wednesday ruled that the charter amendment seeking to alter the composition of the Senate violates the constitution.

The decision was announced in a brief judgement from the bench, televised live.

Judges voted five to four that the amendment to make the Senate a fully elected chamber violates Section 68 of the constitution, which prohibits attempts to overthrow the monarchy and unconstitutional efforts to seize power.

The court rejected a request from the opposition that it consider dissolving government coalition parties and disqualifying MPs.

The court also voted six to three that the process used to pass the charter amendment was improper and violated Section 291 of the constitution. 

According to the ruling, House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont and his deputies wrongfully cut short the time scheduled for the debate on the issue, denying MPs the right to speak on the draft law.

The court said the charter amendment would give "politicians" total control of parliament, which would be a retrograde step for the country.

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