Charter draft powerful weapon in graft fight, says Meechai

The head of the Constitution Drafting Committee, Meechai

 Ruchupan (left), on Sunday touted his document as a

 weapon against political corruption. (Post Today photo)

The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has wrapped up

its week-long review of the draft charter which if enforced

will be a powerful weapon in the fight against corruption,

 according to chief charter writer Meechai Ruchupan.

The draft contains 261 sections excluding the provisional

 chapter that will be reviewed tomorrow in Bangkok.

 The 261 general sections can be shortened by 10 before

 a complete first draft is unveiled to the public on Jan 29.

When asked what the charter should be called, the CDC

 chairman said "the anti-corruption charter".

The constitution introduces strict measures against electionfraud

 and corruption in office including unscrupulous budget

 allocations.

 The entire cabinet will be removed if a minister is found guilty

of corrupt practices. "Some people may complain we are making

things difficult for a government.

 If they are not up to mischief, they shouldn't have any trouble,"

 Mr Meechai said. Independent public bodies will be authorised

 to initiate investigations without waiting for a formal complaint

 to be lodged. Three agencies -- the National Anti-Corruption

Commission, the Office of the Auditor-General and

the Election Commission -- will be given new powers to

warn the government of policy risks, to promote accountability.

The charter also introduces a new senate make-up which

comprises 200 members elected from 20 social groups, 10 from

 each group. The indirect election of senators is designed to

 keep at bay interference by political parties.

 According to the CDC chairman, while the charter endorses

orders by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)

and the interim government, it does not protect them from

 being investigated for irregularities.

 Key Pheu Thai members have slammed the CDC for

 including several controversial elements in the charter.

Among them are changes concerning the election system

and the single ballot, the senate's composition and the powers

 which some independent organisations will have over the

 executive branch.

Noppadon Patama, of Pheu Thai, said the CDC has made the

 matter worse by making it hard to amend the charter.

After passing a referendum, a charter amendment needs a majority

 vote in the House to pass. The vote must be based on support

of at least 10% of MPs from parties with 10 MPs or more.

"The requirement set by the CDC is against the principle of

 majority rule. It is like a time bomb," he said.

News,Politics,Bangkok Post, 18 January 2016.

In my opinion,I agree with strict measures against

 electionfraud and corruption in office including

unscrupulous budget allocations.

 

And the constitution does not protect the interim government

and the NCOP from being investigated for irregularities.

 

Sincerely Yours.