Ban on new parties upheld for those shorn of rightsThe parliamentary committee scrutinising bills amending two election-related organic laws yesterday shot down a move to allow people whose election rights were revoked from setting up a political party. Panel spokesman, Akradet Wongpitakroj, the Democrat MP for Ratchaburi, said 24 members rejected a proposal seeking to allow those banned from politics from forming political parties. Mr Akradet said the committee voted to keep annual membership fees and life-membership fees for political party members at 20 baht and 200 baht, respectively. He said the two controversial issues of primary voting and calculation and distribution of party-list seats will be discussed at the next meeting on April 20. He said committee members have to make sure proposed changes still reflect the charter's intention and can be implemented by parties.

Source: Bangkok Post April 08, 2022 04:12 UTC