Single ballot plan draws flak as draft gripes mount

Single ballot plan draws flak as draft gripes mount

Criticism of the first charter draft continues with critics zeroing in on charter clauses that will use a single ballot paper for both constituency and party-list elections.

Democrat deputy leader Ongart Khlampaiboon said his primary concern is the single ballot may lead to intense vote-buying. Another is the single ballot does not truly reflect the popularity of political parties.

Under the Meechai charter unveiled last Friday, one ballot paper will be used in elections.

All votes cast for constituency candidates will be used to decide the number of party list MPs each party will receive after the constituency MPs are decided.

Mr Ongart said some voters choose a constituency candidate because they like the individual. The vote may have no bearing on what the voter thinks of that candidate's party. Using a single ballot could distort the voters' view.

He also expressed disagreement over a proposal that allows the prime minister to be an non-MP.

He said the draft charter will be widely acceptable and gain more support if it clearly states the prime minister must be an elected MP.

However, Mr Ongart lauded the charter drafters for their attempts to rein in corruption, intensify checks and balances, and prevent abuse of majority rule in the House of Representatives.

Former charter writer Lertrat Rattanavich echoed Mr Ongart's concern about the single ballot paper.

He pointed out a one-ballot system for both the constituency and party-list systems would put small and medium sized political parties at an disadvantage.

These parties normally field candidates in 10-50 constituencies, which means they would not receive any votes from the constituencies they do not contest.

Meanwhile, a majority of respondents of a Suan Dusit Poll say they are uncertain about the fate of the Meechai draft.

Of 1,338 people surveyed about the charter, 61% said they were not sure if the draft would pass a referendum because it contains controversial issues. About 23% believed the draft would be endorsed, against the 16% who believed it would be rejected.

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