They were speaking at a seminar held yesterday by the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) to gauge views in relation to organic laws on political parties and MP election. Representatives of concerned agencies were invited to participate, though no official representatives from major parties such as the Democrat andPheu Thai showed up.

Members of minor parties called on the Election Commission to be fair in its role in providing campaign materials for candidates, so all parties have equal opportunities. The EC has to quickly reduce the disparity between big and small parties, they said.

Nikorn Chamnong, director of Chart Thai Pattana Party, suggested that the legislators revise the clause that says political parties should submit details of their proposed policies to the EC for further dissemination. He explained that if EC officials were not experts, they could affect the policies proposed by the parties.

The veteran politician added that the clause on dissolving political parties that act against the constitutional monarchy should be more specific.

In response to EC’s notion that it is trying to help parties campaign, Nikorn said there was no clause indicating that it was to do so. The provision of campaign material, he said, would actually limit the parties’ campaigns.

Before the seminar, CDC chairperson Meechai Ruchupan said that he would listen to all opinions aired at the forum.