Mr Sutin Klangsaeng MP, Chief Whip for the Pheu Thai Party and the opposition in the House of Representatives, told reporters that next week’s Constitutional Court decision on the electoral law for deciding party list seats will be a decisive moment

 

by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

The Pheu Thai Party won zero party list seats in the 2019 General Election with 21.9% of the vote, seats that ultimately, due to the single ballot system with a divisor of 500, were awarded to smaller political parties. Based on its vote share, it should have won at least 30 extra party list seats.

The Pheu Thai Party MP for Maha Sarakham and opposition chief whip, on Friday, told the press that next Wednesday’s decision from the Constitutional Court may be one of historic importance for democracy and the way forward for politics in Thailand. Sutin Klangsaeng said that a green light from the court on the legality of the organic electoral law, approved by parliament in August, would pave the way for a successful General Election next year with a fair electoral system while also going far to remove the grounds for protesting against the next democratically elected government. He predicted the alternative decision by the court to reject the law would leave Thailand navigating a difficult and darker path that lawmakers would find extremely challenging.

 

The Constitutional Court will rule on Wednesday 30th November on whether the electoral law passed in August, in controversial circumstances without a quorum, in its original draft form, is illegal or not following a petition by 105 MPs, mainly from smaller parties in the House of Representatives who stand to be wiped out of the new voting and seat allocation system for General Elections come into force.

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/11/25/constitutional-court-decision-a-watershed-moment-politics/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-11-26

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

Tend to think it will go in favour of the PTB!

Wonder what the uotcome will be.. Constitutional Court as all except independent