NLA drops plan to amend EC law on poll inspectors

By The Nation 

 

 

After encountering heavy criticism, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) might revise its decision to seek an amendment to the Election Commission (EC) law, an NLA source said yesterday.

 

The NLA wanted to revoke the selection of election inspectors. 

 

The source said the NLA members had dropped the amendment idea because they did not want to make the EC law – one of the organic laws essential to holding an election – too easy to amend. 

 

If the amendment by the NLA does go ahead, it could also create a false standard for the future parliament, the source said. 

 

“Since the law is that of an independent organisation under the Constitution, any legal changes should originate from them, not the Parliament,” they said. 

 

The NLA’s move came after weeks of political criticism that their proposal to amend the already enacted bill would only waste time and further delay the election. 

 

Chart Thai Pattana Party director Nikorn Chamnong yesterday also raised this concern. 

 

“The amendment will have a direct impact on the current ruling power, which is the National Council for Peace and Order [NCPO],” Nikorn said. “In my opinion, it will not be worth it.”

 

Political observers believe the junta-appointed legislators’ move to change the law might have been signalled from the powers-that-be.

 

They may have wished for a specific election-inspecting system, which would have the power to oversee the election process at local levels. 

 

Nikorn also backed the EC’s decision to propose that the NCPO enact Article 44, so the EC can set up constituencies despite the junta’s ban on political party movement.

 

Local constituencies are necessary in order to appoint local election inspectors, who will be assigned to oversee each constituency, he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30352069

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-14

The idea that the NLA, on its own, was willing to amend the law and thus delay the election is ludicrous; it should be obvious by now that it acts for and obeys the Junta, period.

 

While I am rapidly losing faith in the political parties to stand up to the Junta, this is evidence that they can do so, if they are willing to. It is worth remembering that the political parties do actually have some power; the Junta does need legitimacy and only they can give it.

 

Perhaps the parties can take a 'lesson learned' and fight a bit for a fair election; it should be obvious to all by now that simple acquiescence is not a posture that will lead anywhere.

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

NLA drops plan to amend EC law on poll inspectors

Judging by the high number of road accidents involving stationary objects, perhaps it would be better if the NLA concentrated on pole inspectors.

 

'Nah, this election delay excuse isn't washing with anyone. Back to the drawing board. How about we miraculously find another weapons cache?'

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Nikorn also backed the EC’s decision to propose that the NCPO enact Article 44, so the EC can set up constituencies despite the junta’s ban on political party movement.

The NCPO is the Junta! The fact that people (including the NCPO members) actually take Art.44 seriously and somehow "respect" the law of the NLA shows how effed up this country really is.

But what about the 6,800 members of the public who all agreed in an online poll that the NLA should seek legal amendments to nullify the selection of poll inspectors? All 6,800 said 'yarp' and supported the idea. Not one of them said no, don't know,  or simply "I don't give a s***". All 6,800 supported the NLA. Is no one buying this? 

The junta has far more to lose than the criminals running Cambodia.   The little tinpot likes to think of himself as some sort of hero who rides a white horse, but the common Thais do not see it that way.   The NLA cannot hide who and what they are, and anything they do at this time will anger the population. 

Edited August 14, 20187 yr by yellowboat

Yesterday I argued that the amendment was unnecessary.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

the NLA members had dropped the amendment idea because they did not want to make the EC law

Yup.

What the junta want, junta gets. Someone put a stop to this election delaying shenanigan. Some hope for the election. 

Isn't it worrying that climate change runs faster than Thai election preparations?

You have to admit this so-called parliament has the be the best in the world They always agree on everything and the vote is always 100% in favor if the Pm says it is a good law to pass 

13 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

The idea that the NLA, on its own, was willing to amend the law and thus delay the election is ludicrous; it should be obvious by now that it acts for and obeys the Junta, period.

Ah...you know too much. Better watch out, Uncle will surely be censoring you shortly!

Another probe to delay the election dropped....darn public is getting to well educated. How do we steal the election now?