BANGKOK, 7 January 2014 The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has concluded that 308 MPs and senators are guilty of malfeasance after they voted to pass the charter amendment bill that would alter the composition of the Senate.
NACC Spokesman Vicha Mahakhun stated that the commission had examined evidence from the Constitutional Court and the Secretariat of the House of Representatives in its deliberation of the case against 381 MPs and senators involved in the passing of the bill concerning the origin of senators. He said, based on the evidence, it was found that 308 of the parliamentarians had committed wrongdoing and charges would be filed against them for malfeasance and abuse of authority.
Of the 308 individuals, 293 voted for the bill in the first, second and third readings while the other 15 were involved in the proposal process. This group excludes Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who cast her vote only in the final reading. From January 15-17, all of them will be called in to acknowledge their charges and provide clarifications if there are any.
Previously, House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont and Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanich were also found guilty by the NACC in the same case. They are scheduled to hear their charges this January 10.
The much-debated bill sought to revise the Constitution so as to cancel the appointment of senators and require that all of them come from elections.
