Two former Democrat MPs slammed the Election Commission for blocking politicians from participating in public debates on draft constitution staged in all provinces since July 29.
Democrat deputy party leader Nipit Intharasombat said he disagreed with the negative attitude towards politicians of the provincial election commissions in each respective province which have deleted the names of all politicians from the lists of panelists.
He pointed out that the barring of politicians to speak in the public debates will render the draft constitution lacking in legitimacy.
Meanwhile, Democrat deputy secretary-general Sathit Pitudecha said that the Election Commission’s negative attitude toward politicians in general was another indication that the upcoming referendum is unnatural because it does not allow all stakeholders an equal opportunity to express their opinions on the draft charter.
“This shows that the proponents of the draft are taking advantage of the opponents because the former can send educators to explain about the merits of the draft whereas those who disagree are gagged,” said Mr Sathit.
Government spokesman Maj-Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, in the meantime, reiterated the public debates which were launched on July 29 and to end on August 4 are open to all stakeholders.
In Phrae province, many complaints were lodged against the provincial election commission by people who wanted to join the debates but were barred by the commission because they were not invited.
