Divisions remain over Election Commission's power

[webfact]

ELECTION COMMISSION
Divisions remain over EC's power
WIRAJ SRIPONG
THE NATION



Plan to involve bureaucrats in the running of elections has drawn flak from key players

BANGKOK: -- WHILE THE process of reviewing the charter draft has almost reached its final stage, divisions remain over how much power the Election Commission should have.

Members of the military-installed institutions state that their intent is to do away with the past problem of the EC's failure to do its duty regarding transparency of the election process.

Accordingly, they want the EC to regulate elections, while the power to organise poll would be handed to a committee.

The former deputy leader of the Democrat Party, Alongkorn Ponlaboot, a member of the National Reform Council (NRC), explained that the principles and ground rules laid down by the charter drafters would not undermine the independence of the Election Commission.

He added that the intention of the drafters was to separate the operations task and the power to administer elections in order to deliver better elections.

"It is important to make it clear that the EC is still the only organisation in charge of elections," Alongkorn said.

He said the election organising committee would only assist the EC in holding elections by being responsible for the administration of staff and the operation of the election. In other words, the committee would be under the power of the EC.

"By this way, it [the election organising committee] would not be influenced by politicians as its members would be selected from neutral institutions," Alongkorn said.

As mentioned in the charter draft, one state official from each of the following ministries would be nominated - Defence, Agriculture, Transport, Interior, Education and Health. An official from the National Police would also be nominated.

"This is another experiment [for society] to be tested," Alongkorn said, adding that previous elections were tainted by political influence.

Constitution Drafting Committee member Jade Donavanik explained that officials had always insisted that the EC organise elections.

Jade said this would give the EC more time and room to manoeuvre when overseeing the election process, making it more effective.

He said the objective was to create a well-functioning check-and-balance system in which the general public, civil servants and the EC can all take part.

In addition, public participation in elections would operate through the Citizen Assembly and non-profit organisations, and the public would be part of scrutinising the entire election process to determine whether it is free and fair, Jade said.

However, a politician from Pheu Thai Party and a former election commissioner labelled the plan regressive in light of the 1997 and 2007 constitutions, which gave the EC the full authority to hold elections.

Former Election Commissioner Gothom Arya said: "An Election Commission should be independent from the executive power."

He argued that the power to administer an election, such as the powers to operate, regulate, supervise and investigate, should be given to the EC, adding that the authority to make a ruling is the only aspect of the process that could possibly be transferred to a court.

"The current proposal can be compared to the attempt to mix oil and water together," Gothom said.

Gothom doubts the process would be transparent, as politicians still remain highly influential among bureaucrats, be it at the national or local level. He said political patronage was still very apparent in Thailand.

Pheu Thai's Chaturon Chaisang believes the proposal won't solve the political patronage problem. Engaging bureaucrats in organising elections should be reduced, he said, as this would help society do away with the negative links between politicians and bureaucrats.

He said the charter draft was designed to limit the EC's power.

"In the past, the EC failed to eliminate vote-buying both at local and national levels." Chaturon added that the 2007 charter provided the EC with overwhelming power to punish politicians and political parties. "We should be able to scrutinise the EC as well."

He suggested that political parties should also have the right to scrutinise the EC.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Divisions-remain-over-ECs-power-30257514.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-07

[Somtamnication]

Not a job I would want. Always get criticized, always get sued for defamation. Good luck, Somchais!

[willyumiii]

WHAT ELECTIONS?

[greenchair]

Yes, the previous election was tainted by political influence.

The influence of the the people that are now in top positions, which will in turn put them on the organising committee.

For example, the head of the education superboard is Prayut.

Then theirs the head of defense, and the head of police both installed by Prayut.

And I'm not sure but I think the members of the ec are appointed by the Senate which are all appointed by Prayut government. The question is.

Who will watch the watchers?