Thai voters 'approve draft constitution'
A new constitution for Thailand, set to usher in December general elections and end military rule, has been approved by millions of voters in a nationwide referendum, according to exit polls today.
A Suan Dusit Institute poll, released shortly after voting ended, showed that 68% of voters approved the new constitution, while an ABAC poll indicated more than 70% said yes.
The country’s election commission said unofficial reports showed voter turnout was at more than 60%.
Approval of the constitution would signal a major defeat for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his still-strong following in Thailand and its supporters hope it will calm political turmoil.
But critics say the new constitution, although steering the country out of direct military control, would prove a setback for democracy.
The 186-page charter curbs the role of politicians, emphasises checks and balances at the expense of participatory democracy and could perpetuate the behind-the-scenes power the military has wielded in Thailand for decades, they say.
Defenders of the proposed charter argue it is the best way out of the political stalemate that led the military to seize power last September amid growing unrest over alleged corruption and abuse of power by Thaksin, now living in self-exile in Britain.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said the high turnout and approval were “the first step in moving forward to full democracy”.
He said the charter is expected to be promulgated by the end of August after endorsement by the country’s constitutional monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Opponents also complain the referendum itself was flawed because a rejection of the military-approved proposal would have meant the generals were free to impose a constitution without further consultation with the voters.
The impetus to curb the power of elected representatives was a reaction to Thaksin’s 2001-06 administration, in which he was accused of using his vast personal wealth to secure what some saw as a parliamentary dictatorship.
Advocates of the proposed charter hope it will close some of the loopholes that allowed Thaksin to amass so much power, which he still wields through former party faithful and strong popular support in rural areas.
