Senate Panel Supports New Voting Regulations
PUBLISHED: 28 Sep 2024 at 09:10
Senators are convening on Monday to deliberate on a referendum bill following a proposal from an ad hoc Senate committee to revise voting requirements for charter amendments. Senate Speaker Mongkol Surasajja has emphasized the urgency of the meeting scheduled for September 30.
The special committee, led by Pol Maj Gen Chattawat Saengphet, has finalized its review and recommends implementing a “double majority” rule for charter amendment proposals.
This proposed amendment will exclusively apply to charter changes and mandates that, for a referendum result to be binding, two conditions must be met per Section 13 of the Referendum Act: more than 50% of eligible voters must participate, and a majority of those votes must be affirmative.
The double majority requirement has faced criticism for creating barriers to the passage of referendums and essential legislation. In contrast, the House of Representatives recently amended this provision, introducing a single majority rule where only a majority of votes cast is necessary for adoption.
The amendment bill, which successfully passed the House on August 21 with an overwhelming vote of 409, is now subject to Senate revision. The initial Senate vote resulted in 179 in favor and 5 against, with three abstentions, although some senators expressed concerns.
House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha indicated that the Senate’s final vote on the referendum bill could lead to the formation of a joint committee to resolve any discrepancies if the double majority is upheld.
Nikorn Chamnong, secretary of the ad hoc House committee on the referendum bill, stated that the first round of the charter referendum is tentatively scheduled for February 2, coinciding with nationwide provincial councillor elections. Voters will be asked whether they support the drafting of a new charter while preserving Chapters 1 and 2, which outline Thailand’s status as a single, indivisible kingdom with a democratic regime and the King as head of state.
