Thai officials visit Germany to observe election system

BANGKOK, March 15 (TNA) – Senior Thai officers left Bangkok on Sunday for a six-day visit to Germany to observe and study an electeral system in that country. The officers were invited by the German government to observe the Mixed-Member-Proportional (MMP) electoral system as Thailand plans to adopt the system in its next general election, scheduled to be held early next year. Under the MMP system, number of seats allocated to political parties in parliament is commensurate with the proportion of votes each party receives nationwide, giving small parties and independent candidates a greater chance in the polls. General Lertrat Ratanavanich, spokesman of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), who is also travelling to Germany said Germany was the first country in the world to implement the MMP system. So far nine countries worldwide are using the system which reflects its merits, he said. During the visit, the officers would also confer with president of the Federal Constitutional Court and German MPs which would benefit Thailand’s drafting of election-related laws to be included in the new constitution, General Lertrat said. Officers visiting Germany include CDC, the Election Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman and the National Reform Council members. (TNA)