The Constitution Drafting Commission has drafted the bill in the way that the EC has requested, giving it full authority to kick-start investigations into frauds if irregularities are found, said Boonsong Noisophon, the commissioner in charge of election fraud investigations.

Charter drafters previously debated the extent of the EC’s authority, before resolving to remove its authority to deliver penalties against wrongdoers if the frauds took place after an election result is announced. The task would be transferred to the court.

The EC would also see its provincial offices replaced by the election ombudsman.

Boonsong thanked the CDC for maintaining the investigation authority.