DRG proposes charter change to end NCPO hold on power in election run-up

[webfact]

DRG proposes charter change to end NCPO hold on power in election run-up

By Wasamon Audjarint 
The Nation

 

The activist Democracy Restoration Group (DRG) on Tuesday suggested changes to the 2017 Constitution in order to end the ruling legitimacy of the military-led government during the pre-election period.

 

The DRG is campaigning for an end to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the turning of the junta government into an acting administration in the run-up to the general election.

 

These changes, the group argues, should ensure that the election is not delayed further and that the NCPO will not be able to prolong its hold on power.

 

In 2016, the government organised a nationwide referendum on a junta-written charter draft and imposed strict rules during the campaign period ahead of the national vote, disabling different opinions from speaking up against the draft.

 

Some of the activists who now form the DRG were arrested at that time for allegedly breaking the referendum law.

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday brushed aside such a call from the DRG, reasoning that the Constitution’s Article 265 stipulates that the NCPO stay in power until the new government after the next election is in place.

 

The DRG has proposed that a possible solution is to amend Article 265.

 

“The NCPO often cites laws in ways advantaging themselves, saying that those laws have to be strictly followed,” the group said in a Facebook post.

 

“In fact, the 2017 charter was wholly written by the NCPO. It was amended even after approval in the referendum,” the DRG continued. “So, why can’t the charter be amended to pave the way for faster dissolution of the NCPO?”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30340851

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-14

[YetAnother]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

“So, why can’t the charter be amended to pave the way for faster dissolution of the NCPO?”

they must think they are calling the shots, western thinking;

NCPO/junta desires a prolonged stay in power due to their arrogance, the relative impotence of the opposition and because they are pulling down large salaries for themselves, cronies,relatives and are feeding quite nicely on the patronage system;

this effort , main, to the article, while many of us might agree with it, is tantamount to asking a secret serial killer to turn himself in

[greenchair]

That is exactly right. 

The government can change it's self gratifying laws in a blink of an eye. 

When it suits themselves. 

[mtls2005]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday brushed aside such a call from the DRG, reasoning that the Constitution’s Article 265 stipulates that the NCPO stay in power until the new government after the next election is in place.

 

 

I expect the "NCPO" will remain "in power" long after any elections. 

[RichardColeman]

Don't be daft, they could not control the 'forthcoming' quasi election and eventual re-election of the God being if they did that !

[Srikcir]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

“So, why can’t the charter be amended to pave the way for faster dissolution of the NCPO?”

Because according to Constitution an amendment involves the vote of both NLA and Senate, adjudicated by the Constitutional Court and submitted by PM Prayut for royal endorsement.

The NLA is a NCPO surrogate (one of the Five Rivers) through its appointment by NCPO Chief Prayut; the current Senate is essentially MIA and new Senate has yet to be appointed; and the Constitutional Court has at best a suspicious political agenda.

The NCPO alone will decide whether if it wants to be dissolved earlier than prescribed by the Constitution.  Duh!

 

[Eric Loh]

I like that tacit protests against military dominance. Get the media and public attention and a chance to stick it to the military even knowing the remote possibility of that happening when you have Meechai in the top seat of constitution amendments. He is the loyal gatekeeper of the military constitution.