NLA committee won’t change MP seat-calculation method
The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) committee vetting the MPs bill has made no major change to the clause on the calculation of MPs’ seats, with concerns that such a change would be against the Constitution.
Previously, the committee had considered revising the sophisticated formula, concerned that results that come in as fractions would cause difficulties.
However, the NLA’s whip spokesman, Jate Siratharanon, said the committee had resolved not to do so, but would adjust some wordings for clarity.
They were afraid that making a change in the calculation method would be an infringement of the new charter, he explained.
The revised bill would be presented to the NLA on January 25, Jate said, adding that the Senate bill would be presented on January 26.
Under the new mixed member apportionment (MMA) system, each voter casts a single ballot and the vote goes to both the constituency candidate and the party. The votes a party gets are then calculated to find out how many seats it will have in the Lower House.
If it does not already have enough winning constituency candidates to match the number of alloted seats, party-list candidates can fill up the vacancies.
However, calculations involving six or seven figures can end up in fractions rather whole numbers. This raised concerns among some committee members that it may be too complicated.
