House, The sub-district listens to people's opinions on the referendum, listens to 7 groups of "Nikorn" students, worried that not more than half of the people will come out to exercise their rights, pointing out that the referendum law may need to be amended. The Election Commission is evaluating budget spending. 3,250 million baht
Mr. Nikorn Chamnong, Chairman of the Subcommittee for Listening to Public Opinions Regarding the guidelines for conducting a referendum to amend the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 2017, it was revealed that today student representatives were invited. 7 new generation youth groups, including those participating in political rallies to listen to opinions Previously, he had given questions about amending the constitution and holding a referendum. This is the same set of questions that would be given to members of parliament. During the opening of the meeting Before concluding, going to a meeting of the committee to study guidelines for holding a referendum to solve the problem of differing opinions on the Constitution of the Kingdom, B.E. 2017, at the end of December and will ask the people.
In the question stated Do you think it is appropriate to hold a referendum to amend the constitution? ,Want to amend the entire 2017 Constitution, retain Section 1, Section 2, or consider that it is inappropriate to amend the Constitution. In this case, it will be asked It is appropriate to amend each section. Or don't need to fix it at all. and asked about the effects of constitutional amendments, such as the protection of people's rights and freedoms. and political participation Process of checks and balances between legislatures Judiciary and Administration Is there a problem or not? or how to amend the constitution is difficult Root causes that lead to solutions or specify another opinion Including questions about appointing members of the Constitutional Drafting Assembly or MPs or other organizations to make amendments.
Mr. Nikorn also stated that the referendum questions will be asked before proceeding. whether the people agree or not to have the entire constitution amended to ask whether it would be allowed to do so or not As for the second attempt, in the case of amending Section 256 to allow for the creation of MPs. And after the amendment, people must be asked: Do you agree with the constitution before presenting it to His Majesty the King? This question will be asked to members of the parliament during the open session.
on 13-14 Dec. and the Senate on 18-19 Dec. After that, there will be a meeting on 22 Dec. again with Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai as chairman of the committee. To study guidelines for conducting a referendum is the one who concludes
For the meeting of the subcommittee studying guidelines for holding a referendum who invited Mr. Sawaeng Bunmee, secretary-general of the Election Commission or Election Commission, to discuss today. Mr. Nikorn said that the budget for the preliminary referendum It is expected that the budget will be 3,250 million baht. As for the referendum by other means, such as using an application. It is expected that a budget of 10,000 million baht will be required. The meeting asked if using such methods would be stable or the data could be hacked. The Election Commission will present the information again.
As for the referendum Along with other elections, Mr. Nikorn said that the Election Commission has stated that 3 laws must be used and that the first attempt may not be in time. We must wait until November 2024 because we must wait to amend the referendum law first. But if it is a second referendum, it should be able to be held at the same time as other elections.
“I admit that I have concerns about the referendum law, which stipulates that if a referendum is held Two levels of majority must be used: 1. People must come out and exercise their rights by more than half. of eligible voters which will be equal to 25 million votes. There is a chance that not all people will come out to exercise their rights and 2. Approval votes must be more than half of those who come out to exercise their rights. which is seen as something that is difficult to do Because there is no canvasser No one was invited to come out and exercise their rights,” Mr. Nikorn said.
Mr. Nikorn also saw that First referendum People may wake up. Because it is seen as the people's constitution But the second referendum with the amendment of Section 256, if it coincides with the election of the Provincial Administrative Organization president, which will take place in early 2025, may act as a catalyst for the people. But I'm afraid I'll fall off my horse here. Where people did not come out according to the conditions. So there is concern.
When asked if the referendum law was amended, would it be in time for the referendum schedule or not? Mr. Nikorn said that it was already in time. By amending the referendum law Do not allow more than one branch to have the right to vote. Only a majority is left to pass the referendum. It is expected that the first referendum It should happen in April. which date and time for the referendum It will not be less than 90 days and not more than 120 days, or approximately three and a half months, because the Election Commission must give time to understand the people. Mr. Nikorn said that on November 15, the subcommittee will listen to people's opinions. etc. Another 17 groups of people will be invited to come and listen to their opinions again. such as gender diversity group, disabled group, farmer group, poor people's assembly group etc.
Source: Thai News Agency