The hopes of non-governmental organisations to strip senators of the right to select the prime minister after the next election have been dashed, after parliament rejected their bill to amend Section 272 of the Constitution.
The Bill, initiated by former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn and NGOs and seconded by more than 50,000 people, received 356 votes from senators and MPs at their joint meeting on Wednesday, which is short of the 364 minimum required for the passage of the Bill.
102 MPs and 151 senators voted against the bill, while 45 senators and five MPs abstained.
Three other Bills, proposed by the opposition Pheu Thai party, seeking to amend the Constitution were also rejected. These include the Bill to amend Section 43 of the Constitution, regarding the rights of individuals and communities, and another to amend Sections 159 and 170 regarding the qualifications and origins of the prime minister.
Most Palang Pracharath Party MPs, the core government party, and those from smaller parties voted against the four Bills, while the other coalition parties, such as the Democrat and Bhumjaithai parties voted with the opposition in support of the four Bills.
