Democrats cry foul against EC for barring politicians to join public debates

 

BANGKOK: -- Two former Democrat MPs slammed the Election Commission for blocking politicians from participating in public debates on draft constitution staged in all provinces since July 29.

Democrat deputy party leader Nipit Intharasombat said he disagreed with the negative attitude towards politicians of the provincial election commissions in each respective province which have deleted the names of all politicians from the lists of panelists.

He pointed out that the barring of politicians to speak in the public debates will render the draft constitution lacking in legitimacy.

Meanwhile, Democrat deputy secretary-general Sathit Pitudecha said that the Election Commission’s negative attitude toward politicians in general was another indication that the upcoming referendum is unnatural because it does not allow all stakeholders an equal opportunity to express their opinions on the draft charter.

“This shows that the proponents of the draft are taking advantage of the opponents because the former can send educators to explain about the merits of the draft whereas those who disagree are gagged,” said Mr Sathit.

Government spokesman Maj-Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, in the meantime, reiterated the public debates which were launched on July 29 and to end on August 4 are open to all stakeholders.

In Phrae province, many complaints were lodged against the provincial election commission by people who wanted to join the debates but were barred by the commission because they were not invited.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/democrats-cry-foul-ec-barring-politicians-join-public-debates/

-- ThaiPBS 2016-08-01

barring of politicians to speak in the public debates will render the draft constitution lacking in legitimacy.

So says the party that gave no legitimacy to the 2007 Constitution. In 2013/2014 the Democrats wanted to operate outside the Constitution to gain power thrugh an appointed PM and government. Now that the Democrats are truly disenfranchised from a participatory democracy, they don't like it.

49 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

barring of politicians to speak in the public debates will render the draft constitution lacking in legitimacy.

So says the party that gave no legitimacy to the 2007 Constitution. In 2013/2014 the Democrats wanted to operate outside the Constitution to gain power thrugh an appointed PM and government. Now that the Democrats are truly disenfranchised from a participatory democracy, they don't like it.

And to add that the party who boycott 2 elections shouldn't be talking about legitimacy. The party is an embarrassment with 2 opposing sides for and against the referendum. The party should follow the 1 party-line and that from the leader. Really a disgrace that Ahbisit as party leader can't command respect from his own party.     

"

He pointed out that the barring of politicians to speak in the public debates will render the draft constitution lacking in legitimacy."

 

The charter lacked legitimacy from the very beginning because it was conjured up by a group of rogue military officers who formed themselves into an illegal government, who literally took the law into their own hands. 

Boo boo boo, waeh, waeh waeh!!!!!! We cannot win election collection!!!!

This is a joke! The government and the EC claim to organise open debates in order to try to look democratic, and then forbid politicians to participate!

(And even forbid Dem politicians )

Tempted to suggest that you reap what you sow....

4 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

And to add that the party who boycott 2 elections shouldn't be talking about legitimacy. The party is an embarrassment with 2 opposing sides for and against the referendum. The party should follow the 1 party-line and that from the leader. Really a disgrace that Ahbisit as party leader can't command respect from his own party.     

How about a political party that has been dissolved 3 times for election fraud?

Should they be talking about democracy?

Why should every politician HAVE to follow the party line all the time?

They certainly don't in the UK, USA or the EU.

 

18 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

And to add that the party who boycott 2 elections shouldn't be talking about legitimacy. The party is an embarrassment with 2 opposing sides for and against the referendum. The party should follow the 1 party-line and that from the leader. Really a disgrace that Ahbisit as party leader can't command respect from his own party.     

The Democrats are not a political party in the Western sense. They have no party platform or coherent set of declared policies other than a vague adherence to the status quo and a subservience to the Palace, the Army and Big Business. They are more a collection of politicians who are against change, and this is the main thing they have in common. As they are defined by what they are AGAINST, it is hard for the voter to decide what they stand FOR and this is one of the reasons they have proved unelectable since the turn of the millenium.

Thaksin exploited the empty space in Thai politics for a radical, reforming party at a time when politicians were switching parties and forming new parties in an all consuming desire to hold power, without any real plan as to what they might do with it other than enriching themselves. Thaksin enriched himself egregiously, but at the same time he put together a set of policies and a political platform which meant something to the voters. If the kakocracy manage to eliminate the Thaksin influence, the space will still be there in politics for a radical reforming party which appeals to the ordinary Thai citizen outside of the Bangkok Metropolis. (80+% of all Thais) Unfortunately the establishment fronted by the Military will do anything to prevent the kind of people who might put such a party together ever being successful, which is one of the principle aims of this charter.

Be careful what you wish for. You might just get it.  How about that Mr. Abhisit?