THE SIMMERING war of words between the Election Commission and the constitution drafters continued yesterday, with a key EC member accusing the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) of having “ulterior motives” in writing a new organic law governing the EC.
Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, an election commissioner, said that the CDC “has assaulted” the original draft proposed by the EC by writing its own version.
CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan yesterday dismissed the accusation that his team of drafters had ulterior motives. He said the CDC would disclose its final draft of the new organic law only when it had been entirely completed. “It is not a good idea to change back and forth. We have to be clear, and that’s our principle. We do not want to create confusion,” Meechai said.
An amended law on the EC will be among four organic laws required by a new constitution in preparation for the next general election expected late next year. The other laws involve political parties, the election of MPs and the selection of Senate members.
Somchai yesterday questioned the CDC’s sincerity in holding a public hearing on Wednesday about the draft law on the election agency. He said many changes were made to the EC’s original draft, but the CDC showed the original draft that did not reflect the changes it had made while holding its hearing in Parliament.
“The drafters have to think for themselves if they are sincere in allowing the people to know the details of the law. I don’t want them to play politics or have any ulterior motives,” he said.
Somchai added that the CDC’s final version should have been presented at the public hearing. He also claimed it was probably that the CDC would rush their organic laws through the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for passage within a short period of time.
In a Facebook message yesterday, Somchai said no representatives from major political parties were invited to attend the event on Wednesday.
“The CDC lacks sincerity in holding the hearing. They just held it because they had to. It was a waste of the state budget,” he said.
Somchai called on the CDC to hold the event again in order to allow more groups of people to attend, particularly major political parties. He also urged the CDC to be open-minded and include good proposals in the final version, instead of adhering too much to their own views.
He said he did not campaign against the CDC’s revised version of the law on the EC because he would lose his seat.
“I am not raising this issue for my own benefit. I believe that I will be |qualified under the new law. I have no concern for myself,” Somchai said.
In a related development, Meechai yesterday defended a proposed provision in the CDC’s organic law on political parties that would allow capital punishment against any political party leader who offers political positions for sale.
Some members of the NLA have opposed the proposed provision, saying that capital punishment was too severe and not in accordance with international practices.
“If the NLA thinks capital punishment is too severe, they may suggest a fine of Bt5 or Bt10. They may think it is a small offence to sell ministerial seats,” Meechai said.
He added, however, that the CDC might also add the penalty of life imprisonment as an alternative.
NLA vice president Peerasak Porchit said yesterday that capital punishment for selling political offices was too harsh.
“Penalties must match the offences and you have to think of the world community as well. Many countries no longer have capital punishment,” he said.