DHAKA: Thailand’s military-appointed National Reform Council has rejected a new draft constitution, delaying a return to democracy following last year’s coup.

The authors of the draft in the National Reform Council had hoped the charter would move the country past almost a decade of political conflicts, but it met strong opposition from almost all sides of the country's political divide.

One of the most contentious provisions included a 23-member panel, with military members that would be empowered to take over from the parliament and prime minister in times of ‘national crisis’, reports Al Jazeera.

Almost all parties criticized the draft, and it risked being voted down in a referendum, further complicating a transition to electoral democracy.

The rejection sets back a tentative plan for a return to democracy, with the military retaining substantial powers until a new constitution is drafted.

Thailand’s main opposition party, the Puea Thai Party, had denounced the draft constitution on Friday, saying it ‘totally disregards the sovereignty of the Thai people’.

According to the report, 135 votes were against the draft constitution, while 105 were for it.

‘We are back to square one now. A new constitution has to be written and presented for a vote and then hopefully to the Thai people for a referendum,’ he said.

‘The council is hand-picked by the military rulers and the rewriting of a new text will take another six months.’

‘People are saying that this was just a scene designed to allow this government to stay in power as long as possible.’

BDST: 1923 HRS, SEPT 06, 2015
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