NRC votes against draft constitution
The National Reform Council has unofficially voted 135 - 105 to reject the draft constitution.
The National Reform Council has unofficially voted 135 - 105 to reject the draft constitution.
Please join us on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/bangkokpostlearning
Borwornsak Uwanno, left, hands the draft to NRC chair Thienchay Kiranandana as NRC deputy chair Thassana Boonthong, second right, receives a copy. The handover took place on August 22 and voted down this morning.
11:00 update: The National Reform Council has unofficially voted 135 - 105 to reject the draft constitution. The were seven abstentions. Analysts say the military faction of the NRC and many upcountry members led the no-votes.
Noon update: Here are more details from our online reporters
The rejection of the draft charter was as expected following heavy lobbying during the past week, reportedly by NRC members closely linked to the military.
Earlier on Sunday, as of 8am, a large number of metropolitan police, both in uniforms and plainclothes, were deployed in the parliament compound and outside.
Steel barricades were put up to block main roads to parliament and only members of the NRC members and concerned personnel were allowed inside.
NRC members then gathered for a group photo before attending the last meeting for the crucial vote.
The meeting for the vote began at 10am under the chairmanship of council president Thienchay Kiranandana
The voting began at 10.35am with all 247 NRC members in attendance, including 21 members of the Constitution Drafting Committee led by Bowornsak Uwanno.
In the voting process, NRC members are called up by their names alphabetically to declare verbally to "approve" or "reject" the draft constitution.
Following the vote count, which took less than one hour, Mr Thienchay announced the result which saw 135 members voted to reject the draft and 105 voted for it, while seven members abstained.
As a result of the draft charter being voted down, the National Reform Council’s term ends and a 21-member charter drafting committee will be set up. It will have 180 days to draft a new charter.
After the new drafting commitee finished its work, a new draft constitution will be put for a public referendum in four months.
Earlier story.
NRC set to vote on draft constitution
The National Reform Council has assembled and is set to vote on the draft constitution this morning. The vote is expected to be finished by noon.
The NRC members are voting amidst rumours of last-minute intense lobbying against the proposed charter. What weeks earlier appeared to be an easy passage, now looks set for a very close decison and rejection of the charter is a definite possibility, observers say.
There are 247 members in the NRC and passage requires support of at least 124.
If the charter is voted down today, the National Reform Council’s term ends and a 21-man charter drafting committee will be set up. It will have six months to draft a new charter.
If the NRC passes the charter, elections are expected to take place by September next year.
สามารถฝึกอ่านออกเสียงและดูคำแปลได้ที่ : http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/682240/nrc-set-to-vote-on-draft-constition
