Majority want totally new constitution: poll

Majority want totally new constitution: poll

Move Forward Party MPs vote in the third reading of a constitutional amendment bill in Parliament on Wednesday. The bill failed to get enough support from MPs and senators. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
Move Forward Party MPs vote in the third reading of a constitutional amendment bill in Parliament on Wednesday. The bill failed to get enough support from MPs and senators. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)

A majority of people want to see a constitution totally rewritten by a committee whose members are elected by the people, according to a survey by National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.

The poll was conducted by telephone interviews on March 17-18 on 1,313 people aged 18 and over of various levels of education and occupations throughout the country to guage their opinions on a new constitution to replace the 2017 version currently in use.

The Constitutional Court said in a statement on Thursday that the constitution can be totally rewritten if eligible voters decide in a referendum a complete overhaul is needed, and another referendum must be held once the rewrite is completed.

Asked what their decision would be if a referendum were held today, 58.49% said they would vote "yes" for a totally rewritten constitution; 25.13% said they would vote "no"; 6.48% said they would not go to the polling station; 5.94% said they would go to the polling station but would not cast a vote; and 3.96% were uncertain.

Asked who should the authors should be if the constitution is completely rewritten -- with each respondent allowed to give more than one answer -- 59.86% said they should be members of a constitution drafting committee elected by the people throughout the country; 31.86% chose members of the House of Representatives; 17.75% said they should be resourceful persons selected from universities; 11.88% wanted senators for the job; 10.97% said they should be members of a constitution-drafting committee selected by the government; 9.75% said they should be members of a constitution-drafting committee selected by parliament; and 8.38% were uncertain or had no answer.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (82)