This development came as drafters deliberated on a chapter related to independent agencies.

CDC spokesman Udom Rathamarit said five of the commissioners would be selected by a selection committee, while the other two would be chosen by the Supreme Court among Appeal Court chiefs or chief prosecutors.

During their non-extendable seven-year term, the commissioners would be authorised to hold fair elections and referenda, investigate cases of electoral fraud, and set or change election dates freely without having to consult the government.

In addition, they would be eligible to ban candidates temporarily from an election if they were found to be involved in electoral fraud. Only a court has the authority to ban a candidate permanently, Udom explained.

Apart from that, the drafters deliberated on the duties and authority of ombudsmen. The spokesman said the draft stipulated that the ombudsman commission should comprise no more than three personnel serving a non-extendable six-year term.

The commission would act as an advisory body to government organisations related to the revision of laws and regulations in order to help them serve the public properly.

The ombudsmen would also advise the Cabinet when people got into trouble as a result of government agencies violating law. The ombudsmen could also petition the Constitutional Court to rule on whether a bill, a law or an order was constitutional.

As for the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the drafters resolved to maintain the agency’s authority as per the 2007 Constitution, but set the time frame for every case it investigates at no more than two years in total. The NACC would still have the power to investigate officials below the rank of C8.

The drafters have agreed in principle that independent agencies would be tasked with examining the use of state authority and also ensuring that the law and the charter are being followed. Hence commissioners and agents must be trustworthy, the spokesman explained.

The drafters also specified that commissioners share the same qualifications as Cabinet members, with extra qualification of expertise in their fields.

All independent agencies’ commissioners will be chosen by a selection committee comprising 10 people. The agencies are the Supreme Court’s president, the House of Representatives’ president, the leader of the opposition, the Supreme Administrative Court’s arbiter, and representatives from each independent agency and the Constitutional Court.

The CDC completed more than 210 articles yesterday. An initial version of the draft should be completed tomorrow, when the committee members wrap up their retreat in Phetchaburi’s Cha-am district. As per the schedule set by drafters, a complete draft should be released by January 29.