Referendum to go ahead: NCPO, cabinet agree

19 พฤษภาคม 2558

National referendum will be held on new draft constitution which means election planned for early next year will be delayed at least 90 days.

A poster campaigning for voters to make their voices heard on the now-defunct 2007 constitution is seen on July 7, 2007. Eight years on, a similar national referendum will likely be held for voters to decide on the fate of the new constitution draft. (Bangkok Post file photo)

REFERENDUM

NCPO, cabinet agree to hold referendum

19/05/2015
Wassana Nanuam and Mongkon Bangprapa

The junta and the cabinet have agreed to amend the 2014 interim charter so a national referendum can be held on the new draft constitution.

The decision, made after a joint meeting on Tuesday afternoon, means the general election slated for early next year in the junta's roadmap will have to be delayed by around 90 days.

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha said the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would not intervene in the process.

Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam said the next step would be for the NCPO and the cabinet to propose in June an amendment to the 2014 charter to that effect and lawmakers would vote on the bill in 15 days.

Mr Wissanu explained the prime minister could not exercise his mandate under Section 44 of the 2014 interim charter to call a referendum immediately because the powers were granted under the same constitution to be amended.

Earlier on Tuesday, Surachai Liangboonlertchai, chairman of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), said if the NCPO and the cabinet agreed on a referendum, the government would have to take the first move by submitting a draft to amend Section 46 of the 2014 interim charter to the NLA.

Apart from stipulating a referendum, the bill must also spell out what should be done if people vote down the draft constitution, he said.

"We'll deliberate the amendment bill in 15 days in three readings. It will be a yes-no vote since the NLA has no authority to amend it.

"I agree the readings should be televised for transparency," he said.

Mr Wissanu also said after the meeting he was appointed by the prime minister to lead a team to study and propose changes to the constitution draft by June. The team will meet on May 25...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/566215/ncpo-cabinet-agree-to-hold-referendum