Proxy votes ‘won’t affect spending’
The Constitutional Court’s decision to accept a petition asking it to rule on the validity of the 2020 budget bill will not affect the government’s ability to spend, said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
He made the remark after the court decided to accept a request filed by House Speaker, Chuan Leekpai, asking it to rule on the validity of the 2020 budget, which is in question after it was revealed that a coalition lawmaker voted for it without being present in the chamber.
The court took up the issue after 90 opposition MPs called on it to clear all doubts surrounding the bill’s legality.
Questions were raised on the legality of the 2020 budget bill after Democrat MP, Nipit Intarasombat, alleged on Jan 20 that two Bhumjaithai MPs — Chalong Therdwiraong and Natee Ratchakitprakarn — voted to pass the bill without being present in the House on Jan 10-11.
Mr Chalong later admitted he was at a funeral in Phatthalung when his vote was cast, saying he had accidentally left his electronic voting card behind.
Both Mr Nipit and Mr Chalong are Phatthalung politicians.
Mr Nipit also said Ms Natee’s vote for the bill was cast when she was already on her way to China.
A video aired on Channel 7 showed Prim Pooncharoen, of the Palang Pracharath Party, and Somboon Zarum of the Bhumjaithai Party inserting more than one card in the voting machines.
The House voted 253-0 to pass the bill on Jan 11. The bill was passed by the Senate on Jan 21.
The court has ordered Mr Chalong, Ms Prim and Mr Somboon to submit a written explanation by Feb 4. The case involving Ms Natee remains unclear.
Yesterday, Mr Wissanu downplayed concerns the issues surrounding the 3.2-trillion-baht budget will affect the government’s ability to spend and function.
“State officials will still be paid as usual because the constitution allows us to use leftover money from last year’s budget,” he said.
Development projects can also proceed as the government can tap into its’ 300-billion-baht investment fund to keep them going.
That said, Mr Wissanu admitted that recently-approved projects may be delayed.
He declined to comment when asked if the government may take out loans to help pay some short-term expenses, saying the matter should be left to the Finance Ministry and the Budget Bureau.