"The prime minister does not necessarily have to be an elected MP," Krirkkiat Pipatseritham said. "But he or she has to be nominated [for royal endorsement] by Lower-House members, who are representatives of the people." He did not elaborate on this controversial issue.

Political parties and activists have opposed any conditions that might pave the way for the sanctioning of a non-elected premier. They believe the junta will exploit such a provision to cling to power by picking one of its leaders or a well-respected social figure as a puppet.

Decho Sawananont said he supported an elected prime minister. However, there should be an "exemption" for a non-elected premier to lead the government in an emergency situation such as a war or a political crisis.

Krirkkiat and Decho were drafters of the 1997 charter which stated that only an elected prime minister could lead the Cabinet - a rule that aimed to close the door on any military intervention.

Krirkkiat also proposes to amend or cancel the requirement in the defunct 1997 Constitution that a Lower-House candidate must hold membership of a political party for 90 days before the registration date for an election.

Deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra was alleged to have manipulated the rule to muzzle his Thai Rak Thai cadres because he could oust "disobedient" members from the party, leaving them without enough time to fulfil the 90-day rule if they joined a new party.

Decho said an attempt to launch a censure debate against the prime minister ought to be made easier as it would prevent any kind of abuse of power by the premier.

During Thaksin's five-year reign, the opposition could not touch him through the parliamentary process, as it could not gather enough support from House members.

According to the 1997 charter, a censure motion against the premier needed the backing of 200 of the House's 500 MPs, while 100 MPs were needed to censure a minister.

A censure motion against the prime minister should require the support of only 50 MPs, Decho said.

Meanwhile, 52 of 100 newly-appointed charter drafters reported for office yesterday. They included Krirkkiat, Decho, Somkid Lerdpaitoon, Seri Suwanpanont and Klanarong Chantik.

They received reports and guidelines about the constitution drafting. One pointed out that the whole political crisis was created by Thaksin's decision to dissolve the House on February 24.