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Published on September 10, 2007

He pointed out that so-called money politics was the main obstacle as some politicians were not concerned about how they were elected.

This is undemocratic, he said. "If these parties have no democracy at heart, inside their party, how can society be democratic?" Prasong asked.

The former chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee warned that some politicians would do whatever it takes to win the election, so the three organic laws must be written in such a way as to maximise the penalty for electoral fraud.

The three laws cover the election, Election Commission (EC) and political parties.

The committee met yesterday and agreed that the presence of only three of the five commissioners is needed for an EC meeting to take place.

It also resolved to put into the draft organic law a requirement that a majority vote of four out of five commissioners is needed for the EC to revoke the right of any candidate to run for election.

An unresolved debate also took place about the limits that should be placed on political donations. Some members said a limit could only weaken a party but others recommended limiting the amount of money that an individual or legal entity could contribute, and reporting of donations to the anti-corruption agency.

Sutthirak Utthamontri

 The Nation

Pattaya