The NRSA convenes today to debate questions to be submitted to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for an additional option presented to voters in the referendum on the draft constitution, NRSA whip spokesman Kamnoon Sidhisamarn said yesterday.

One key question will be whether unelected senators and elected MPs should vote jointly to select a prime minister.

Another question likely to be debated at today’s NRSA meeting is whether a national reconciliation committee should be set up after the election, according to members of the assembly.

Members said questions must be based on five principles: taking into account the country and public interest; improving the country’s administration or benefiting people nationwide; proposing solutions the public wants to move forward with peace and order; changing the country’s direction; and dealing with questions the draft charter does not address.

NRSA member Lertrat Ratanavanich said he would propose a question about establishing an independent committee on national reconciliation after the government is set up.

The committee would have a role in resolving conflicts and bringing about reconciliation, Lertrat said.

Another member, Wanchai Sonsiri, said he and others would propose questions asking whether voters agreed with the five-year interim period bridging between a military and civilian government and whether both MPs and senators should vote for the prime minister.

He said the joint vote would help to ensure peace and order, and sustainable democracy during the interim period. He added that he expected about 50 to 100 NRSA members to support the question.

NRSA political reform committee chairman Seri Suwanpanont disagreed with a proposal to ask voters whether they would accept Prayut Chan-o-cha staying on as prime minister during the five-year transitional period.

He ruled out the possibility that the NRSA would approve such a question, since the public might see it as an attempt to keep Prayut in power.

Seri reiterated that the two key questions discussed by the assembly would be Wanchai’s proposal that both MPs and senators vote for the prime minister and Lertrat’s idea regarding an independent committee to bring about national reconciliation.

He said members could propose other questions as well today.

The NLA would have the final say on what question would be asked, Seri said.