BANGKOK, Sept 10 (TNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit expressed gratitude towards members of the parliament for passing the charter amendment bill of his Democrat Party in its third and final reading.
Mr Jurin, as the leader of the Democrat Party, told a press conference that he was grateful for cooperation from government and opposition MPs as well as senators regarding the parliament’s endorsement of the charter amendment bill. He hoped that the constitutional amendment would strengthen political parties and democracy.
“The constitutional amendment bill which the parliament has passed will change the electoral system from a one-ballot system to a two-ballot system. The number of constituency MPs will be 400 (up from 350) and that of list MPs 100 (down from 150). The number of list MPs will be calculated by comparing votes cast for a political party with the roster of its 100 list MP candidates,” the Democrat Party leader said.
The bill will be shelved for 15 days and then submitted to His Majesty the King for approval. The Democrat Party would form a committee to consider organic laws related to the amended charter, Mr Jurin said. (TNA)
