A group of "new breed" senators yesterday urged the incoming government to clearly outline the framework and process for drafting a new constitution in its policy statement, expressing hope that a second referendum could be held by the end of the year.
Noraset Prachayagorn, a leading member of the group and chairman of the Senate committee on political development and public participation, said the new administration, once formed, should specify how it intends to proceed with drafting a new charter in line with the public mandate.
He said the government should clarify whether it plans to pursue an entirely new drafting process or move forward with the proposed amendment to Section 256 of the current constitution, which is pending in parliament.
The amendment bill proposes the establishment of a 35-member constitution-drafting committee (CDC) and a 35-member public participation committee. However, the House was dissolved while the bill was being deliberated in its second reading.
Mr Noraset said the group hoped to see a second referendum held no later than the end of this year, accompanied by a comprehensive public awareness campaign.
He stressed that the proposed changes to Section 256 include complex details that must be clearly communicated to the public.
He added that the referendum result reflects a constitutional impasse and indicates that the public has signalled its readiness for change.
Mr Noraset also emphasised that the constitution-drafting process must be transparent and inclusive, allowing participation from both supporters and opponents of the referendum. More than 19.9 million people voted in favour of the proposal, compared with 10.5 million who voted against it, while over 2.8 million abstained.
