MP-list method 'set in stone'

MP-list method 'set in stone'

The organic law on electing MPs provides a mathematical process for calculating and distributing 150 party-list seats and it is the only legally recognised "formula", a former Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) member said on Wednesday.

Prapan Naigowit, also a former election commissioner, said the process is explicitly set out in Section 128 of the law and covers all possible scenarios, including a overhang of seats where the number of constituencies a party actually wins exceeds the estimated share of overall House seats for that party.

He also said the calculation method was proposed by the previous EC to the now-dissolved CDC and then to the National Legislative Assembly's committee set up to draft the organic law.

The document outlining the process is no secret and can be obtained from parliament, he said.

Mr Prapan was speaking after meeting the EC Office's legal advisory team regarding the calculation and distribution of party-list seats to clear up growing confusion about the issue.

Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit on Wednesday urged the EC to accept its mistakes and correct them to ensure poll transparency, saying the fuss generated has made it evident that the charter should be amended in its entirety.

In a statement, the EC dismissed as untrue a claim by Pheu Thai's Chaowalit Wichayasut that the commission was under pressure to disqualify certain candidates in favour of a pro-regime party.

It said the election body bases its decisions on facts and evidence and decisions have to be submitted for judicial review.

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