Military’s council rejects draft Thailand constitution

A council appointed by Thailand’s military rulers has rejected a controversial new constitution drafted after last year’s coup.

A new committee must now be appointed to write another draft, further setting back elections.

The draft has been widely criticised, in particular a clause which enables a 23-member panel to take over government during a “national crisis”.

The army ousted the elected government last year after months of unrest.

The 247-member National Reform Council on Sunday rejected the draft charter by 135 votes to 105, with seven abstentions.

Read also: Thailand bombing: Govt hunts for CCTV suspect

There is a possibility that the demands of pro-democracy campaigners could be ignored for a long time

BBC reports that it met strong opposition on practically all sides of the political divide.

Another committee will have 180 days to write a new one, which will later be put to a nationwide referendum.

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