Poll inspector row heats up
Pheu Thai seeks ruling on law change bid
Pheu Thai Party legal adviser Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has filed a formal complaint against a proposed legal amendment on appointing poll inspectors, saying the bid is a blatant attempt to undermine the Election Commission’s (EC) authority.
The controversial attempt to have the organic law on the EC altered by 36 National Legislative Assembly members was met by a formal petition opposing it yesterday from Mr Ruangkrai.
Mr Ruangkrai called on the EC to forward his complaint to the Constitutional Court for a ruling on whether the proposed amendment is constitutional or not.
He argued the proposed amendment — which seeks to overturn the appointment of 616 poll inspectors in 77 provinces by the outgoing EC members — may be rooted in the vested interests of certain lawmakers. He did not elaborate.
If the 36 NLA members have their way, the amendment issue may also be tantamount to interfering with the EC which should be free to pick poll inspectors. This is a violation of Section 185 of the charter, according to Mr Ruangkrai.
The proposed amendment will focus on the selection of poll inspectors. Critics are reportedly concerned that some election inspectors lack experience and may have political affiliations.
Mr Ruangkrai insisted the amendment effort has already materialised. Even if the lawmakers withdrew a draft amendment, they must still be held to account for initiating the proposed change to the organic law as the wrongdoing was a fait accompli.
However, NLA vice president Peerasak Porjit said the amendment was only a proposal. “It’s just an idea. No [draft amendment] has been submitted to the NLA whip or the NLA,” he said.
Mr Peerasak said there is a long way to go as an amendment would have to be debated at a public hearing, which may stall or even shoot down the legislative change being sought.
The lawmakers are pushing for the amendment to have the criteria for poll inspector selection reflected in the relevant organic law. They maintained this criteria should not be drawn up at the election commissioners’ discretion, according to Mr Peerasak.
Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Meechai Ruchupan said yesterday the lawmakers had the right to pursue a legislative amendment if they felt there were problems executing the law in question.
“But they [the lawmakers] must ask themselves if they have thought the matter through carefully,” Mr Meechai said.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, meanwhile, said it was essential to wait for the new election commissioners to start work so they can discuss the inspector appointees with the outgoing commissioners.
He felt the new commissioners should have a say over the appointees and be free to replace some of them if necessary.
Gen Prayut insisted the lawmakers were not acting on the government’s behalf in order to delay the general election expected early next year.
Critics fear changing the organic law on the EC could be a bid to disrupt, if not delay, the election roadmap.
Poll inspectors will play an important role in the elections and are tasked with investigating poll complaints and forwarding them to the EC for consideration. Their role can result in the suspension of an election or even change the outcome in a constituency. They will take over a role previously held by provincial election chiefs.
Surachai Liangboonlertchai, another NLA vice president, said the roadmap would remain intact as there is enough time to rewrite the organic law on the EC before next year’s poll.