Thai politics: Voting on constitution is becoming a tricky problem

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Voting on constitution is becoming a tricky problem
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) finds itself confronted with a dilemma - should it hold a national referendum and, if it does, will it be used by some as a tool to retaliate?

So far, it's been unclear whether or not a referendum will be held - because both the government and concerned agencies are still uncertain on the subject.

Until recently, the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC)'s chairman and fellow drafters were insisting that a national referendum be put on the table, as it would help legitimise the charter and also allow the drafters to show their sincerity.

The CDC chairman reasoned that the 1997 Constitution was known as the people's charter and the 2007 Constitution also underwent a referendum, so why not put the next one through a public vote?

However, political observers believe that if a referendum is held, it would give the anti-junta crowd an opportunity to attack those in power directly, regardless of how well the charter's content is drafted.

Also, those who support the coup will approve the charter regardless of its content. Therefore, if a referendum is held, it will project more about how much the NCPO-led government is favoured or disfavoured, instead of the vote focusing on the charter.

In the worst-case scenario, if the public rejects the charter, then the CDC and the National Reform Council (NRC) would have to be abolished and a new set of reformers and drafters will have to be appointed. So, if the charter-drafting process returns to square one, then the NCPO and the junta will have to stay at least another year.

One of the aspects of the charter that could determine its success is the so-called "Mixed-Member Proportional" (MMP) election system.

The CDC said they are trying to block the chance of a single party dominating the Parliament, so smaller parties can be given the opportunity to join a coalition government. Also, the MMP system is aimed at making every vote count.

However, cutting out the chance of one party dominating the Parliament may ignite the anger of those who want to see their favourite party in power. Though on the other hand, those who wish to see smaller parties rise will certainly have a reason to adopt the new charter.

Nonetheless, a referendum is necessary to see which way things pan out, because otherwise, it will give people a chance to question the legitimacy of the charter further.

In the end though, the real challenge and pressure will be on the junta and the NCPO to come up with the best solution, and most importantly, ensure that every side accepts their measures.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Voting-on-constitution-is-becoming-a-tricky-proble-30260152.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-15

[tbthailand]

it's not tricky

all Thais get to vote "YES"

what is so hard to figure out?

[bkkcanuck8]

I can just see the ballot now....

Should the constitution be affirmed as the constitution from this date forward:

- Yes

- Not No

[Thaddeus]

What percentage of people voting on it will have actually read it?

''I agree to the Terms & Conditions''

[bkkcanuck8]

What percentage of people voting on it will have actually read it?

''I agree to the Terms & Conditions''

More than voted for the current government

[Plutojames88]

The military rulers mistakenly believe the world will think Thailand is voting and all is well there.

It's foolish .

That document , is totally unacceptable to the free world.

Maybe deep down they sense that's it going to be met with further sanctions on top of the obvious ones

that seem looming?

But I can't help but feel sickened by these ""little slants on truth" where the issue of democracy is discussed.

[Praematura]

It's tricky? That's a bit disingenuous. It's a vote to essentially lose the vote and go back to a system where elites control the system again.

[bkkcanuck8]

The military rulers mistakenly believe the world will think Thailand is voting and all is well there.

It's foolish .

That document , is totally unacceptable to the free world.

Maybe deep down they sense that's it going to be met with further sanctions on top of the obvious ones

that seem looming?

But I can't help but feel sickened by these ""little slants on truth" where the issue of democracy is discussed.

The document may be a farce and a feat of engineering to make sure the right people have a certain of control, or the wrong people are not in control if that is not possible...... BUT.... once there is an election the world will accept it and move on because if their own public is not demanding them to take action.... the government won't really care if they are dealing with a real democratic government or a democratic face to the real power behind the government.

You ascribe moral behaviour in foreign governments where there is no history of doing so for moral interests.... only for pragmatic self-interest.

Edited May 15, 2015 by bkkcanuck8

[h90]

The military rulers mistakenly believe the world will think Thailand is voting and all is well there.

It's foolish .

That document , is totally unacceptable to the free world.

Maybe deep down they sense that's it going to be met with further sanctions on top of the obvious ones

that seem looming?

But I can't help but feel sickened by these ""little slants on truth" where the issue of democracy is discussed.

I think Thailand doesn't need to care if their constitution is acceptable to any other country or not.

Further sanctions? Which sanctions? The west won't do anything, else Thailand will move closer to his big friend China.

[phoenixdoglover]

The decision wouldn't be so tricky if the draft Charter wasn't so bad.

There are numerous provisions in the draft Charter that can be criticized, not just the MMP voting system for parliament. The method for selecting the Senate, for example. Or the provision for an unelected Prime Minister. Or my favorite, the sections on "rights", which do very little to protect rights, as they are riddled with exceptions.

Here's a ridiculous section that defines how a political party could be rendered ineffective. From Section 76 (my emphasis added):

If members of the House of Representatives of any political party in an

amount of not less than one‐fourth, or any director of the board of directors of a

political party, or not less than five thousand individuals are of opinion that an

internal organization, management, regulation or resolution of a political party is

inconsistent with this section, such persons shall have the right to request the board

of directors of a political party to correct that inconsistency for the compliance with

this section. If the board of directors of a political party fails to comply with that

request or doing others, such persons shall have the right to bring the case to the

Constitutional Court.

In the case where an internal organization, management, regulation or

resolution of a political party is decided by the Constitutional Court that it is

inconsistent with this section, it shall come to an end and the board of directors of a

political party shall act in compliance with the decision of the Constitutional Court

as soon as possible.

The draft Charter is riddled with this stuff - provisions than ensure that politicians, elected officials, and political parties will be unable to function, despite whatever mandate they may have by virtue of being elected.

This leaves the appointed Senate, and potentially appointed PM, to run the show.

How convenient for those who do not have to stand for election.

Edited May 15, 2015 by phoenixdoglover

[bkkcanuck8]

The military rulers mistakenly believe the world will think Thailand is voting and all is well there.

It's foolish .

That document , is totally unacceptable to the free world.

Maybe deep down they sense that's it going to be met with further sanctions on top of the obvious ones

that seem looming?

But I can't help but feel sickened by these ""little slants on truth" where the issue of democracy is discussed.

I think Thailand doesn't need to care if their constitution is acceptable to any other country or not.

Further sanctions? Which sanctions? The west won't do anything, else Thailand will move closer to his big friend China.

The Leadership is trying to play the China card, but many old guard are still wary of China's interference 30 years ago in internal threats. Get too close to China and they will turn you first into a satellite, then into Tibet (or what they want to do to Taiwan).

[Srikcir]

"In the worst-case scenario, if the public rejects the charter"

How about the the worst-case immediately scenario where the public rejects the charter and DEMANDS the military immediately step down from power unconditionally?

[Wilsonandson]

A tricky situation? What choice do voter's have? The current government is not being challenged. Yes or no, the military still pull all the strings. The only chance for the voter's is if all abstain from voting in protest of the current situation (No democracy).