Referendum Bill Unlikely to Be Ready for Upcoming Local Elections, Says Nikorn.

Bangkok: "Nikorn" voiced concerns over the readiness of the referendum bill for the local elections slated for early next year, indicating that the bill will not be prepared in time. Mr. Nikorn Chamnong, Chairman of the Strategy Committee of the Chartthaipattana Party (CTP), emphasized the necessity of using the parliamentary recess to thoroughly study the bill, as the current constitution is not aligned with the government's needs. Consequently, the 70th election will proceed under the existing constitution. According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Nikorn discussed the joint meeting of the two houses set to review the Referendum Act. The next session is scheduled for November 6 and will occur every Wednesday thereafter. While a precise timeline is not established, Mr. Nikorn stressed the importance of utilizing the closed session period for comprehensive study. He expressed concerns that any hastily concluded bill would be ineffective, as no extraordinary parliamentary session is planned. Different opinions from both sides need consideration, particularly regarding the voting process. One faction fears that requiring more than half of the votes for passage might fail due to low voter turnout. Conversely, others view the referendum as crucial, advocating for a double majority specifically on constitutional matters. It is anticipated that 4-5 meetings will occur prior to the regular session's opening, thus negating the need for urgency. Ultimately, the referendum will not coincide with the local elections planned for early 2025. Mr. Nikorn further stated that the government bears the responsibility for setting a referendum date, covering expenses, and managing all associated tasks independently, without attachment to other events due to time constraints. He also noted that the review should conclude before the regular session begins. Once the joint committee reaches a resolution, it must be presented to the House of Representatives and subsequently to the Senate. Should there be disagreements, the bill would be stall ed for 180 days, after which the House of Representatives could proceed with its own version without requiring Senate approval. Mr. Nikorn expressed concerns about potential complications, urging for thorough discussions to maximize the use of the available time. Regarding the new constitution, Mr. Nikorn acknowledged that it would not be ready during the current government's tenure. The timeline does not allow for the new constitution to be implemented before the next election, although a referendum might accompany it, which he views positively. For the new constitution to be in effect by April 2027, further legislative work is necessary, making it improbable for the next general election to rely on it. Therefore, the upcoming general election will operate under the current constitution, as efforts to expedite the process will be insufficient to meet the deadline.