Referendum, the desire for political stability and fears for democracy
45 million head to the polls tomorrow to decide on a new draft Constitution drawn up by the provisional government. If it passes general elections will be called for the end of the year. The population hopes for a return to political stability, but many opposers warn that it is “the military junta’s constitution”.
Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Thailand's military-picked government has no plan to step down if tomorrow’s historic constitution referendum is rejected by the people. The statement arrived from Minister Thirapat Serirangsan of the Prime Minister's Office, who clarified that the August 19th poll is not about the governments’ legitimacy. The declaration is a sharp answer to the voices among civil society which describe tomorrow’s poll as “the junta’s referendum”, denouncing it as anti-democratic.
The Thai population is being called to the poll 11 months after the bloodless coup with which the military deposed former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, accused of corruption and abuse of power; according to Thirapat tomorrow’s ballot is “part of political education and steps towards restoring democracy”. Over 20 million copies of the new constitution were mailed directly to the people.
Television adverts, rallies, even slogan-bearing elephants - everywhere they look, Thais are being reminded that tomorrow is their chance to participate in the country's first-ever referendum. Voters are being asked to reject or endorse a new constitution - if it passes, it will be Thailand's 18th charter and general elections will be held by the end of the year, according to the government. If it fails then within 30 days, another - unspecified – past constitution will be chosen, and most probably elections will be further delayed. In order to be valid a simple majority is needed.
The government estimated that half of the eligible 45 million voters would turn up tomorrow to decide the fate of the new constitution. Thirapat, ex president of the Political Science Association of Thailand, maintains that the new Constitution confers greater public participation in the nations political life (it will be easier to propose new laws and remove ministers), compared to the previous document adopted in 1997; more power to the people to participate in democratic activities and freedom for state agencies as well as limit the premier to two mandates or a maximum of 8 years.
Analysts observe that many will vote in favour of the draft in he hopes of putting an end to months of political instability. The authorities have done all in their power to promote participation; the day after the vote has been declared a public holiday and the price of public transport has been reduced.
Those opposing the vote complain of insufficient time to organise an adequate campaign. Those opposing the “junta’s referendum” are principally Thai Rak Thai supporters, the party of the ex premier Thaksin, who are concentrated in Bangkok and rural areas. They denounce that the constitution was written without consulting the people and that it is strongly anti-democratic: Almost half of all senators would be appointed, not elected. They would be chosen by a committee of judges and bureaucrats - something, that would blur the lines between executive, legislature and judiciary. Moreover they protest a clause granting an apparently all-encompassing amnesty for activities relating to the September 2006 coup.
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See also
Referendum in Thailand: Constitution approved, elections in 2017
08/08/2016 09:07
08/08/2016 09:07
