The main political parties have repeated their demands for clarity to the Election Commission over the Referendum Act, zeroing in on a particular section of the law they felt is open to abuse.
Representatives of more than 50 parties and political groups attended a forum held yesterday by the Election Commission (EC) to explain the draft charter and the Aug 7 referendum.
The forum was held at the Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in a move to ease restrictions banning them from speaking out and to allow them to air their views on the draft charter.
Representatives of the EC, the Constitution Drafting Committee, and the government were on hand to take questions from the politicians.
During the forum, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva raised concerns about the referendum law which imposes stiff penalties against offenders.
He said critics and supporters of the draft charter should be allowed to freely express their opinions in the lead-up to the referendum.
The former prime minister asked the EC to clarify Section 61 of the referendum law so voters could avoid any violations. Critics are worried the regime could cite the section to silence critics of the draft.
For example, Mr Abhisit asked if wearing a T-shirt with messages opposing or supporting the draft would be deemed an offence under the law.
Section 61 says anyone who disseminates in newspapers, radio and TV broadcasts, electronic media as well as other channels, messages, pictures, sounds that are "inconsistent with the truth" or delivered in a violent, aggressive, rude, provocative or threatening way that could "prevent a voter from casting a ballot ... shall be considered as disrupting the referendum". The law says an offender faces a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 200,000 baht.
Mr Abhisit also noted that no alternatives to the draft charter have been offered in the event the draft is rejected in the referendum. He also called on the National Council for Peace and Order to lift its Order No 51 which bans parties' activities.
Pheu Thai acting deputy leader Plodprasop Suraswadi agreed the referendum law was unclear. He asked the EC to provide further clarifications.
EC member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said there is no problem with wearing shirts with political messages as long as the shirts are not used, distributed or sold as part of a campaign to rally people or persuade the public to vote for or against the draft constitution.
Mr Somchai added that Section 61 is also designed to keep up with electronic media. The EC has also issued a list of "do's" and "don'ts" based on the act as a guideline, Mr Somchai said.
United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship leader Jatuporn Prompan said he wanted those in power to confirm that the Aug 7 referendum will go ahead as planned and will not be scrapped.
He was concerned that if there are indications the draft charter may be voted down, those in power will find an excuse to scrap the referendum and remain in power.
Speaking after the forum, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the forum proceeded in a friendly manner. He earlier said if the forum was successful, there might be more such events.