Meechai dismisses criticism that new election system could favour pro-military party

By The Nation

 

MEECHAI RUCHUPAN, head of the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC), yesterday said that if politicians introduce policies favoured by the people, then they have a chance to be elected as members of the House of Representatives.

 

However, Meechai said he “had no knowledge about politics” and declined to comment on concerns over the new election system, which some politicians viewed as giving an advantage to a pro-military party. 

 

There is also concern that the current military regime has the authority to select the Senate, whose votes could count when a prime minister is selected.

 

Critics have voiced concern that flaws in the new election system could lead to the country having a non-elected premier.

 

Meechai said such speculation could be coming from politicians who believed their own parties would win only five to 10 MP seats.

Meechai’s dismissal came as the CDC was about to submit the last two organic bills for the House of Representatives and the Senate to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for deliberation today. The two bills are the last required to be approved prior to the election now expected in late 2018. The first two bills to be passed govern the Election Commission and political parties. 

 

As crucial elements in the “road map to democracy” touted by the junta government, the organic laws have been highly anticipated.

Meechai said he expected a smooth passage for the legislation. The CDC and the 30-member NLA vetting committee had work closely together on them from the start, he said. 

 

However, he did not rule out disagreements, given that there were more than 200 legislators in the chamber, he added.

 

After both bills are promulgated, the much-anticipated election would also take shape as promised by the regime, he said, adding that key figures in government had often said the vote would depend largely on the completion of the organic laws.

 

The CDC, which has been in office since 2015 and was one of the so-called “five rivers of power” associated with the regime, will also be dissolved when the organic laws are finished.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30332646

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-11-28

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

However, Meechai said he “had no knowledge about politics”

That's true. He's finally said something true. 

Gotta give this guy credit. He's a tryer...

 

Not smart, not talented, but a real tryer.

Edited November 28, 20178 yr by Sid Celery

 

"if politicians introduce policies favoured by the people, then they have a chance to be elected"

 

Yes, that is the way that politicians usually get elected in democracies Meechers.

 

Not a big innovation really, it has even happened in Thailand before.

 

What you need to do is sort out a system whereby they stay elected until the majority of the population become dissatisfied with them, and then vote them out in favour of what they perceive as a better alternative (that's what usually happens in democracies).

 

But you would have to do something about the "system" you have now, the one that nobody is changing.

 

You know, the one which is that if a few people don't like them, and it is only a few (the army, the armies mates and a mob in Bangkok), they get turfed out against the wishes of the majority.

 

Do you think you could do that?

 

No?............I didn't think so.

 

Because the army, it's mates and the mob in Bangkok would really **** you up if you did wouldn't they?

 

 

 

Edited November 28, 20178 yr by Enoon

1 hour ago, webfact said:

the much-anticipated election would also take shape as promised by the regime,

Which promise exactly, there've been so many.

How would it favor any person over another one. The people are free to vote for whoever they please (or will be if we have another election).

 

Unfortunately, they often vote for the worse choice, as they have a difficult time with logic & analytics.

 

The best thing they could do is to get rid of party politics completely , and then have only independent candidates.

13 minutes ago, NoBrainer said:

How would it favor any person over another one

Because the Senate appointed by the Army can side with a minority party backed by the army.

The game is rigged and always will be.