Bangkok: Senator Pisit Apiwattanapong has confirmed his decision to move forward with voting for Constitutional Court judges and the Election Commission, amid concerns regarding potential violations of the Constitution.

According to Thai News Agency, Senator Pisit addressed the issue surrounding the approval process of committees for independent organizations and Constitutional Court judges. Some members have raised objections, arguing that if Senators do not fulfill their duties, they risk violating Section 157 for dereliction. This failure could result in incomplete quorums for independent organizations, leading to delays in case proceedings.

The source further reports that Senator Pisit responded to concerns raised by Ms. Nantana Nantvaropas regarding the retroactive impact of appointments. He clarified that Section 82, paragraph 2 of the Constitution states that if the Constitutional Court rules a person is no longer a member, their previous actions remain unaffected. Consequently, any votes cast by a Senator will not have retroactive effects, even if they are subsequently found ineligible to continue their duties.

Senator Pisit emphasized that he has repeatedly explained these constitutional provisions and the lack of retroactive effects to the council. Despite repeated discussions, concerns persist about potential allegations against elected committee members or judges. He reiterated that while allegations cannot be precluded, the Constitution grants full authority and duty to the Senate within its stipulated framework.

In response to questions about the possibility of postponing elections due to ongoing concerns, Senator Pisit warned that failing to approve necessary actions could lead to significant case backlogs due to incomplete quorums. Therefore, he stressed the importance of continuing to fulfill the Senate’s constitutional responsibilities.