Ombudsman ruled today (Monday) that parliament’s rejection of Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s renomination as a prime ministerial candidate was unconstitutional and agreed to forward the case to the Constitutional Court.
The ombudsman also agreed to ask the court to order parliament to suspend the prime ministerial selection process until it rules on Pita’s renomination, to prevent irreparable damage which may result if the selection process is allowed to proceed.
The ombudsman held an urgent meeting today to consider a petition, submitted by two academics, challenging parliament’s decision on July 19th, rejecting the Move Forward party leader’s renomination as a prime ministerial candidate, and demanding that the case be forwarded to the Constitutional Court for consideration.
The two petitioners, Pornchai Theppanya, an independent academic, and Boonsong Chalethorn, a lecturer at Rangsit University, contend that parliament’s decision, by a majority vote, rejecting Pita’s renomination, on the grounds that it breached Rule 41 of the parliamentary regulations, amounted to a violation of rights and liberties enshrined in the Constitution.
They claim that selection of the prime minister is governed under a separate set of rules, in accordance with Sections 159 and 272 of the Constitution, and not under Rule 41. Therefore, Pita’s renomination can be forwarded to parliament.
The two academics also ask the Constitutional Court to suspend the prime ministerial selection process until the court issues a ruling on parliament’s decision.
Parliament has scheduled another joint sitting of the House and Senate to select the prime minister this Thursday.
Meanwhile, 115 lecturers from 19 universities issued a joint statement today, opposing parliament’s decision, claiming that the Constitution overrides parliamentary Rule 41 and, therefore, rules under the charter should be used in the selection of the prime minister. They also demand that parliament’s decision to be revoked.
