Prayut to say yes to both questions

Voters asked two questions on Sunday, first whether to accept new constitution to enable five years of stability for national strategies, development & reform.

REFERENDUM

Prayut to say yes to both questions

Wassana Nanuam

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he would vote on Sunday to accept the draft charter and to allow senators to join MPs in electing a prime minister.

He also insisted once again that a general election would take place next year regardless of the outcome of the referendum.

STABILITY NEEDED FOR REFORM & DEVELOPMENT

The general stressed he had no plan to prolong power but the country would need stability at least over the next five years for reform and development to take hold.

Gen Prayut made the statement during a ceremony to mark the 129th anniversary of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in Nakhon Nayok province on Friday.

The prime minister apparently intended to let the public know how he would vote, as he had his close aide advise reporters to ask him the question.

"This is my personal standpoint. I think I can also speak out as many others have done so," the prime minister said.

ONLY TWO QUESTIONS ON REFERENDUM

It would be useless to vote "yes" to only one of the two questions on the referendum, PM Prayut added.

Voters will be asked two questions on Sunday.

One is whether they accept the draft constitution.

The second question is admittedly long and complex.

The second question essentially asks whether to allow junta - appointed senators to vote with MPs to elect a prime minister in the first five years after the charter takes effect.

According to the referendum law, a voter may choose to vote on only one of the two questions without invalidating a ballot but the prime minister doesn't recommend doing that.

FIVE YEARS OF STABILITY FOR NATIONAL STRATEGIES, DEVELOPMENT & REFORM

The country has learned its lesson and needs change as well as a proper constitution and government to develop it in the way that the majority of people want, PM Prayut noted.

"As the chief of the NCPO (National Council for Peace and Order), I would like to say that we are here to improve national order and create stability to let the country develop the kind of democracy that meets international standards," Gen Prayut said.

He denied his government wanted to prolong its power but said that the country would need stability for at least another five years to facilitate the implementation of national strategies, development schemes and reform plans.

"The government does not want to prolong its power. I keep saying that we must have an election in 2017 because it is the promise made with local and international parties," Gen Prayut said.

IF I WAS A DICTATOR, I WOULD NOT HAVE A REFERENDUM

"If I were a dictator as many people said, I would not have to have the referendum or announce the election in 2017," he said.

He also said that the military would always take good care of people regardless of their status and which government is in power.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1053721/prayut-to-say-yes-to-both-questions

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