On July 5, the Administrative Court rejected a complaint by the 19 Sept Network against Coup d'etat asking the Court to prohibit the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA)'s Public Relations Committee to publicize its advertisements persuading the public to vote for the draft constitution in the upcoming national referendum.
Chotisak Onsung, a member of the 19 Sept Network, said that the Court explained its decision that the CDA is a constitutional body exercising its legislative power, not an administrative agency with administrative authority. The publicity is not deemed an administrative act; therefore, this issue is not within the Administrative Court's jurisdiction.
In the complaint, the 19 Sept Network accused the CDA chairman Noranit Settabut and head of the CDA's Public Relations Committee Jutinan Bhirombhakdi of misleading the public to vote for the draft charter in order that the general election will be held. In fact, the group said, the draft charter has yet to be completed, and the general election will be held even if the draft is rejected in the referendum as the junta and the government are obliged to convene to modify one of the previous constitutions for promulgation, according to the 2006 interim Constitution, and hold the general election.
The anti-group asked the Court to order the both persons to stop the advertisements, and instead publicize opinions of both supporters and proponents of the draft charter.
On July 4, the group had first asked the Court to issue an injunction forbidding the CDA's advertisements, but the Court rejected on grounds that the request did not belong to the emergency category.
However, the anti-coup group will appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court as the last resort next week.
Source:
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