Thailand 2007 Constitution

CHAPTER XI. ORGANIZATIONS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION

Part 1. Independent Organizations Under the Constitution

1. Election Commission

Section 229

The Election Commission consists of a Chairman and other four Commissioners appointed, by the King with the advice of the Senate, from persons of apparent political impartiality and integrity.

The President of the Senate shall countersign the Royal Command appointing the Chairman and Commissioners under paragraph one.

Section 230

An Election Commissioner shall have the qualifications but not any of the prohibitions as follows:

1. Aged not less than 40 years;
2. Having graduated with not lower than a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent;
3. Having qualifications and not having prohibitions listed in Section 205 (1), (4), (5), and (6);
4. Not being a Justice of the Constitutional Court, Ombudsman, Commissioner of the National Counter Corruption Commission, Commissioner of the State Audit, or Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission.

The provisions of Section 207 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Section 231

The selection and election of Chairman and Election Commissioners shall proceed as follows:

1. There shall be a seven-member Selection Committee for Election Committee, consisting of President of The Constitutional Court, President of the Supreme Court of Justice, President of the Supreme Administrative Court, President of the House of Representatives, Opposition Leader of the House of Representatives, member that appointed by the committee of the Supreme Administrative Court. The Selection Committee shall select 3 suitable candidates with qualifications under Section 230 and submit the name list to the President of the House of Representatives with the nominees’ consent. The resolution must be not less than 2 of 3 in favor. Where the Selection Committee is not complete in number, or if complete, but cannot perform, providing the remaining members represent at least half of the Selection Committee, the Selection Committee shall proceed and select Election Commissioners. In this case the section 113 paragraph 3 shall apply mutatis mutandis.Persons which selected by the general meeting of the Supreme Court under paragraph one shall not be judges of the Supreme Court and shall not holder of other position in statutory agencies of the Constitution.
2. The general meeting of the Supreme Court of Justice shall consider selecting 2 qualified persons under Section 230 and present the name list to the President of the Senate with the consent of the nominees.
3. The selection in (1) and (2) shall be done within 30 days from the date when the selection has to occur. Where it is not possible to do the selecting within the specified time, or not able to find the complete number of persons within the time limit in (1), the general meeting of the Supreme Court of Justice shall select the remaining within 15 days from the expiry date in (1).
4. The President of the Senate shall convoke the Senate to decide on the nominees in (1), (2), or (3), which must be done by secret ballot.
5. Where the Senate approves the nominees the procedure shall be applied under (6). Where the Senate disapproves the nominees in part or in whole, the President of the Senate shall send the names of the rejected candidates to the Selection Committee or the general meeting of the Supreme Court of Justice as the case may be. If the Selection Committee approves the nominees, or the general meeting of the Supreme Court of Justice agrees with the resolution of the Senate, whichever case may be. If the Selection Committee or the general meeting of the Supreme Court of Justice disagrees with the Senate’s resolution and unanimously affirms the Selection Committee’s choice with a vote of not less than two- thirds of the general meeting of the Supreme Court of Justice, as the case may be, the name list shall be sent back to the Senate to proceed according to (6). If the affirms are not unanimously or the vote cannot be at assign; the procedure shall recommence and make the nomination to obtain the complete number within 30 days as from the date of the expiration of the nomination time.
6. The persons approved under (4) or (5) shall meet and elect among themselves Chairman of the Election Commission and, then, notify the President of the Senate of the results. The President of the Senate shall report to the King for royal appointment.

Section 232

Election Commissioners shall hold office for a term of seven years as from the date of their appointment by the King and serve for only one term.

An Election Commissioner who vacates office upon the expiration of the term shall remain in office and carry on his or her duties until a newly appointed Election Commissioner takes over.

The provisions of Section 209 (1), (2), (3), (5), (6), (7) and the prohibitions under Section 230 shall apply to the vacation from office of the Election Commissioners mutatis mutandis.

Section 233

Members of the House of Representatives, Senators, or members of both Houses of not less than one-tenth of the total number of the existing members of the two Houses have the right to lodge with the President of the National Assembly a complaint that any Election Commissioner is disqualified or is under any of the prohibitions under Section 230 or has acted in contravention of any of the prohibitions under Section and the President shall refer that complaint to the Constitutional Court within 30 days for its decision as to whether that Election Commissioner has vacated his or her office.

When the Constitutional Court has passed a decision, it shall notify the President of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the Election Commission of such decision.

The provisions of Section 92 shall also apply mutatis mutandis to vacation of office of Election Commissioners.

Section 234

In the case where the Election Commissioners have vacated office en masse, the proceedings under Section 231 shall be taken within 90 days as from the date of vacation.

In the case where Election Commissioners vacate office for any reason other than the expiration of term, Section 231 shall apply to the selection and election of Election Commissioners to fill the vacancies within 60 days from the date of the vacation; the elected persons shall serve only for the remainder of the term of the replaced Commissioners.

Section 235

The Election Commission shall control and hold, or cause to be held in an honest and fair manner an election of members of the House of Representatives, or selection of members of the Senate, election of members of a local assembly and local administrators including voting in a referendum.

The Chairman of the Election Commission shall have the charge and control of the execution of the organic Act on election of members of the House of Representatives and selection of Senators, the organic Act on political parties, the organic Act on the voting in a referendum and the law on the election of members of local assemblies or local administrators. He or she shall be the political-party registrar.

Section 236

The Election Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

1. To make announcement or lay out all the necessary procedures in accordance with Section 235 paragraph 2, including the procedure for election campaigns and other activities by political parties, for electoral candidates, electoral eligibilities so that the elections can carry on honestly and fairly; laying the guidelines for the State in promoting a level playing field for elections and equal opportunities in campaigning;
2. To set out rules on prohibitions for Council of Ministers and Ministers while in office to ensure performance of duties under Section 181, considering public interests and honesty, impartiality, equality, and equal opportunities to be elected;
3. To set out measures and control of political contributions, financial support by the State, the use of funds by political parties and electoral candidates, open audit of the accounts of political parties, monitoring of spending and revenue for use in voting;
4. To give orders instructing Government officials, officials or employees of a State agency, State enterprise or local government organization or other State officials to perform all necessary acts under the laws referred to in Section 235 paragraph 2;
5. To conduct investigations and inquiries for fact-finding and decision on arising problems or disputes under the laws referred to in Section 235 paragraph two;
6. To order a new election or a new voting at a referendum to be held in any or all polling stations when there occurs convincing evidence that the election or the voting at a referendum in that or those polling stations has not proceeded in an honest and fair manner;
7. To announce the results of an election and the voting in a referendum;
8. To promote and support or coordinate with the State agencies, State enterprises or local government or support private organization, to educate people about democracy type that Thailand adopts a democratic regime of government with the King as Head of the State, and to promote people participation in the politics;
9. To perform other acts as provided by law.

In the performance of duties, the Election Commission has the power to summon any relevant document or evidence from any person, or summon any person to give statements as well as to request the Courts, public prosecutors, inquiry officials, State agencies, State enterprises or local government organizations to take action for the purpose of performing duties, investigating, conducting inquiries and passing decisions.

The Election Commission has the power to appoint persons, a group of persons or representatives of private organizations to perform such duties as entrusted.

Section 237

Any candidate in an election, who has committed, created or supported any person to commit any act in violation of the Organic Act on Election of Members of the House of Representatives and the Taking of Office of Senators or orders and announcements of the Election Commission, causing the election not to be proceeded in an honest and fair manner, shall be deprived of his or her voting rights in accordance with the Organic Act on Election of Members of the House of Representatives and the Taking of Office of Senators.

If any such act of person under paragraph one appears to have convincing evidence that the leader or an executive member of his or her political party has acknowledged or ignored that action or has known of the act but failed to prevent or rectify it in order to ensure an honest and fair election, that political party is assumed to have sought to gain power in state administration by means other than what is provided in Section 68 of the Constitution, and in case the Constitutional Court consequently orders its dissolution, the voting rights of its leader and executive board members shall be revoked for a period of 5 years as from the date of issuance of the party dissolution order.

Section 238

The Election Commission shall forthwith conduct an investigation and inquiry for fact finding in any of the following cases;

1. any objection from a voter, a candidate in an election, or a political party with a member running in any of the constituencies, who established that the election in that constituency was conducted erroneously or unlawfully;
2. any objection from a selected or member of different organizations as specified in Section 114 para one who established that the selection of Senators was conducted erroneously or unlawfully;
3. convincing evidence has appeared that any member of the House of Representatives, the Senate, a member of a local assembly, or a local administrator, before being elected, committed a dishonest act that enabled him to get elected, or was dishonestly elected because of an act committed by any person or political party in violation of the organic act on election of members of the House of Representatives and the taking of office of Senators, the organic law on political parties, or the law on election of members of local assemblies and local administrators;
4. Convincing evidence has appeared that the voting in a referendum did not proceed lawfully, or an objection has been raised by a voter by reason that the voting at any polling station was conducted erroneously or unlawfully.

Upon completion of actions committed under paragraph one; the Election Commission shall pass a decision forthwith.

Section 239

In case the Election Commission decides to order a new election or disfranchisement before announcing the results of election of members of the House of Representatives or the Senate, that decision of the Election Commission shall be deemed final.

The decision of the Election Commission to order a new election or disfranchisement after the announcement of the results of the election of members of the House of Representatives or Senate shall be submitted to the Supreme Court of Justice for deliberation. When the Supreme Court of Justice receives the complaint from the Election Commission, members of the House of Representatives or Senate against whom the accusation has been made shall not, as from the date of submission of the complaint, perform his or her duties until the Supreme Court of Justice has dismissed the said complaint. In case the Supreme Court of Justice has ordered a new election in any constituency or disfranchisement of any member of the House of Representatives or the Senate, the membership of such members House of Representatives or the Senate shall be terminated.

In case members of the House of Representatives and the Senate in para two cannot perform their duties; they shall not be counted as existing numbers of the House of Representatives or Senate accordingly.

Paragraphs one, two and three shall apply to the election of a local assembly or administrators. Any complaint made under paragraph two shall be lodged with the Courts of Appeal and its decision shall be deemed final.

Section 240

In case an objection has been raised by reason that the selection of Senators proceeded inappropriately or unlawfully or convincing evidence has appeared that before being selected, any member of the Senate committed any act prohibited in Section 238, the Election Commission shall forthwith conduct an investigation and inquiry.

The Election Commission shall have to forthwith submit its consideration to the Supreme Court of Justice for deliberation. Section 239, paragraphs two and three, shall apply to any Senator who cannot perform duties mutatis mutandis.

In case the Supreme Court of Justice has an order for revocation of selection or disfranchisement of any member of the Senate, membership of the said Senator shall be terminated as from the date the Supreme Court of Justice has issued the order. Selection of a new Senator to fill the vacancy shall proceed thereof.

Any objection and consideration by the Election Commission shall proceed in accordance with the Organic Act on Election of Members of the House of Representatives and the Taking of Office of Senators.

Section 241

During the period in which a Royal Decree calling for an election of members of the House of Representatives or Senate, a notification for the selection of Senators or a referendum is effective, no election commissioner shall be arrested, detained, or summoned by a warrant for an investigation except in the case where the permission of the Election Commission is obtained or where the arrest is made in flagrante delicto.

In the case where an election commissioner has been arrested in flagrante delicto, or where an election commissioner is arrested or detained in other cases, it shall be forthwith reported to the chairperson of the Election Commission, and the chairperson may order the release of the person so arrested.

2. Ombudsmen

Section 242

The ombudsmen shall not be more than three in number and shall be appointed by the King with the advice of the Senate from persons recognized and respected by the public, with knowledge and experience in the administration of State affairs, enterprises, or activities of common interest for the public and with apparent integrity.

Appointed ombudsmen shall hold a meeting to elect among from themselves a president and shall disclose the result of the election to the president of the Senate.

The president of the Senate shall countersign the Royal Command appointing the ombudsmen.

The qualifications, prohibitions, selection, and election regarding the ombudsmen shall be in accordance with the organic law on ombudsmen.

The ombudsmen shall hold office for a term of six years from the date of their appointment by the King and shall serve for only one term.

The Office of Ombudsman shall have autonomy in personnel management, budget and other activities as provided by law.

Section 243

The selection of the Ombudsmen shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 206 and Section 207 mutatis mutandis. The selective committee shall consist of seven members, namely the President of the Supreme Court of Justice, the President of Constitutional Court, the President of the Supreme Administrative Court, the President of the House of Representatives, and the Opposition Leader in the House of Representatives, a person elected at a general meeting of the Supreme Court of Justice, and a person elected at a general meeting of the Supreme Administrative Court. The Section 231 (1) para two shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Section 244

The ombudsmen have the powers and duties as follows:

1. to consider and inquire into a complaint for fact-finding in the following cases:
   1. failure to perform in compliance with the law or performance beyond the powers and duties as provided by the law for a government official, an official, or an employee of a State agency, State enterprise, or local government organization;
   2. the performance of, or negligence in the performance of, the duties of a government official or an official or employee of a State agency, State enterprise, or local government organization, which unjustly causes injury to the complainant or the public, regardless of whether such an act is lawful or not;
   3. examination of negligence in the performance of duties or the unlawful performance of duties by organizations under the Constitution and judicial bodies;
   4. other cases as provided by the law;
2. to take action in connection with the moral conduct of persons holding political positions and State officials in accordance with the provisions of Section 279 para three and Section 280.
3. to prepare reports for and submit opinions and suggestions to the National Assembly. Such reports shall be published in the Government Gazette and made available to the general public.
4. to report results of investigation and performance as well as observations to the Cabinet, House of Representatives, and Senate annually and the said reports shall be published in the Government Gazette.

Actions under (1) a (b) and (c) shall be taken by the ombudsmen after having received complaints from injured persons. The ombudsmen may decide to launch an investigation into any matter that is deemed to be detrimental to the general public or the public interest.

Section 245

The ombudsmen may refer matters to the Constitutional Court or the Administrative Courts for a decision in accordance with the procedure of the Constitutional Court without delay in cases where:

1. questions over the constitutionality of the provisions of any law have arisen; in such cases the ombudsmen shall request without delay the Constitutional Court’s judgment in accordance with the procedures of the Constitutional Court.
2. questions over the constitutionality or legitimacy of regulations or orders or actions taken by persons under Section 244 (1) (a) have arisen; in such cases, the ombudsmen shall request without delay the Administrative Courts’ judgment in accordance with the procedures of the Administrative Courts.

3. National Counter Corruption Commission

Section 246

The National Counter Corruption Commission consists of the president and eight qualified members appointed by the King with the advice of the Senate.

Members of the National Counter Corruption Commission shall be persons of apparent integrity, with qualifications and free of the prohibitions under section 205, having been, in the past, a minister, an election commissioner, an ombudsman, a member of the National Human Rights Commission, a member of the National Counter Corruption Commission, a member of the State Audit Commission, or having served, in the past, in a position not lower than that of a deputy director general or civilian officer at level 9, or a professor, representative of a private organization or a practicing lawyer of a lawyers association for a period of not less than 30 years with confirmation of his or her years of service from such an organization or association.

The selection and nomination of members of the National Counter Corruption Commission shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 204 paragraph three and paragraph four, Section 206 and Section 207 mutatis and mutandis. The selection committee consists of 5 members, namely the President of the Supreme Court of Justice, the President of Constitutional Court, the President of the Supreme Administrative, the President of the House of Representatives and the Opposition leader in the House of Representatives.

The president of the Senate shall countersign the Royal Command appointing the president and members of the National Counter Corruption Commission.

The provincial counter corruption commission shall be formed with qualifications, selection process, and roles and responsibilities of members of the commission in accordance with the Organic Law on the National Counter Corruption Commission.

Section 247

Members of the National Counter Corruption Commission shall hold office for a term of nine years as from the date of their appointment by the King and shall serve for only one term.

Members of the National Counter Corruption Commission who vacate office at the expiration of their term shall remain in office and continue to perform their duties until the newly appointed members take office.

Section 209 and Section 210 shall apply to the vacation, selection, and election of members of the National Counter Corruption Commission mutatis mutandis.

Section 248

Members of the House of Representatives numbering not less than one-fourth of the total number of existing members of the House have a right to lodge with the president of the Senate a complaint that any member of the National Counter Corruption Commission has acted unjustly, intentionally violated the Constitution or laws, or has been involved in anything that is seriously detrimental to the dignity of holding the office, in order to request the Senate to pass a resolution removing him from office.

A resolution of the Senate removing a member of the National Counter Corruption Commission from office under paragraph one shall be passed by votes numbering not less than three-fourths of the total number of existing members of the Senate.

Section 249

Members of the House of Representatives, senators, or members of both Houses numbering not less than one-fifth of the total number of existing members of both Houses have a right to lodge with the Supreme Court of Justice’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions an allegation that any member of the National Counter Corruption Commission has become unusually wealthy or has committed an offence involving corruption or malfeasance while in office.

The request under paragraph one shall clearly itemize the circumstance in which such a person has allegedly committed the act under paragraph one and shall be submitted to the president of the Senate. When the president of the Senate has received the said request, the president shall refer it to the Supreme Court of Justice’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions for trial and adjudication.

The alleged member of the National Counter Corruption Commission shall not perform his duties until the Supreme Court of Justice’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions has dismissed the said request.

In case the accused member of the National Counter Corruption Commission shall not perform his or her duties according to paragraph three and the remaining number of National Counter Corruption Commission is less than half the total number of the National Counter Corruption Commission, the President of the Supreme Court of Justice and the President of the Supreme Administrative Court shall jointly appoint a person who shall meet the qualifications and shall not be under the same prohibitions as the accused member to temporarily act as a replacement member of the National Counter Corruption Commission. The interim member shall perform the duty until the replaced member may resume his or her duty or until the Supreme Court of Justice Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions shall hand down a verdict that the accused member has committed wrongful act.

Section 250

The National Counter Corruption Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

1. to inquire into the facts, summarize the case, and prepare a verdict to be submitted to the Senate according to Section 272 and Section 279 para three;
2. to inquire into the facts, summarize the case, and prepare a verdict to be submitted to the Supreme Court of Justice’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions in accordance with Section 275;
3. to investigate and decide whether a state official who holds an executive post or a Government official who holds a position from the Director level upwards or the equivalent has become unusually wealthy or has committed an offence of corruption, malfeasance in office or malfeasance in judicial office, including any state official or Government official at lower level who has colluded with the said state official or Government official to commit a wrongful offence or other offences that the National Counter Corruption Commission deems appropriate to investigate and decide the case in accordance with the Organic Act pertaining to the National Counter Corruption Commission.
4. to inspect the accuracy, actual existence, as well as change of assets and liabilities of persons holding positions under Section 259 and Section 264 as stated in the account and supporting documents submitted;
5. to supervise and observe the ethics of persons holding political positions;
6. to submit an inspection report and a report on the performance of duties together with remarks to the Council of Ministers, the House of Representatives, and the Senate annually and to publish that report in the Government Gazette and disseminate it to the public; and
7. to carry out other actions as provided by the law.

Section 213 shall apply to the performance of duties of the National Counter Corruption Commission mutatis mutandis.

The President and members of the National Counter Corruption Commission are the judicial officials by law.

Section 251

The National Counter Corruption Commission shall have an independent secretariat, with the secretary-general of the National Counter Corruption Commission as the superior directly responsible to the president of the National Counter Corruption Commission.

The appointment of the secretary-general of the National Counter Corruption Commission shall be approved by the National Counter Corruption Commission and the Senate.

The Office of the National Counter Corruption Commission shall have autonomy in its personnel administration, budget, and other activities as provided by the law.

4. State Audit Commission

Section 252

The State audit shall be carried out by the State Audit Commission and the Auditor-General, who is independent and impartial.

The State Audit Commission consists of the chairperson and six other members appointed by the King from persons with expertise and experience in state auditing, accounting, internal auditing, finance, and other fields.

The selection of members of the State Audit Commission shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 204 paragraph three and paragraph four, Section 206 and section 207 mutatis and mutandis. The composition of the Selection Committee shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 243.

The President of the Senate shall countersign the Royal Command appointing the Chairperson and the members of the State Audit Commission and the Auditor-general.

Members of the State Audit Commission shall hold office for a term of six years from the date of their appointment by the King and shall serve for only one term.

Qualifications, prohibitions, selection, election, and vacation of office of members of the State Audit Commission and the Auditor-General as well as powers and duties of the State Audit Commission, the Auditor-General and the Office of the State Audit Commission shall be in accordance with the organic law on state audit.

The determination of the qualifications and procedures for the election of persons to be appointed as members of the State Audit Commission and the Auditor-general shall be made in a manner that can secure persons of appropriate qualifications and integrity and that can provide for the guarantee of the independence of such persons in the performance of their duties.

Section 253

The State Audit Commission has the power and duty to set the standard of the state audit and give advice and recommendations for the correction of shortcomings in state audit undertakings; and it has the power to deliberate on cases concerning monetary, financial, and budgetary disciplines. Such judgments made by the State Audit Commission and the Office of the State Audit shall be in accordance with the organic law on the state audit.

The Auditor-General shall have the powers and duties in the state audit and is independent and impartial.

Section 254

The State Audit Commission shall have an independent secretariat, with the Auditor-General as the superior person directly responsible to the chairperson of the State Audit Commission, as provided by the organic law on the state audit.

The Office of the State Audit Commission shall have autonomy in personnel administration, budget and other activities as provided by law.

Part 2. Other Organizations Under the Constitution

1. Prosecution Organization

Section 255

Public prosecutors shall have the powers and duties as provide by this Constitution and laws pertaining to powers and duties of public prosecutors as well as other laws.

A public prosecutor has independence in considering the prosecution of cases and shall perform his or her duties impartially.

The appointment and removal of the prosecutor general requires a resolution adopted by the Public Prosecution Committee with the consent of the Senate.

The President of the Senate countersigns the Royal Decree appointing the prosecutor general.

The Prosecution Organization commands an independent administrative unit in charge of the management of manpower, budget, and other undertakings under the direct control of the prosecutor general in accordance with provisions of the law.

The public prosecutor must not be a board member of any public enterprise or other state services in the same manner unless permission is given by the Public Prosecution Commission. The public prosecutor shall not pursue any occupation or profession or other activities that may affect the performance of duty or tarnish the dignity of governmental position holding and not be a member, manager or legal advisor or any other similar post holder in any business company.

The Section 202 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

2. National Human Rights Commission

Section 256

The National Human Rights Commission consists of a president and six other members appointed by the King with the advice of the Senate from persons having apparent knowledge and experience in the protection of the rights and liberties of the people, having regard also to the participation of representatives from private organizations in the field of human rights.

The President of the Senate shall countersign the Royal Command appointing the president and the members of the National Human Rights Commission.

The qualifications, prohibitions, selection, election, removal, and determination of the remuneration regarding members of the National Human Rights Commission shall be as provided by the law.

The members of the National Human Rights Commission shall hold office for a term of six years from the date of their appointment by the King and shall serve for only one term.

The provisions of Section 2004 paragraph three, Section 206, Section 207, and Section 209 (2) shall apply mutatis and mutandis. The selection of the Selective Committee shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 243.

The Office of the National Human Rights Commission shall have autonomy in personnel administration, budget and other activities as provided by law.

Section 257

The National Human Rights have the powers and duties as follows:

1. to examine and report the commission or omission of acts which violate human rights or which do not comply with obligations under international treaties to which Thailand is a party, and propose appropriate remedial measures to the person or agency committing or omitting such acts to be acted upon. In the case where it appears that no action has been taken as proposed, the commission shall report to the National Assembly for further proceeding;
2. to submit to the Constitutional Court any complaints received and an assessment of the provisions of the law that affect human rights and are inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution;
3. to propose to the Administrative Courts any complaints received and an assessment of any regulations, orders, or other actions that affect human rights and are inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution;
4. to file lawsuit with the court of justice on behalf of the injured when requested and deemed appropriate to solve problems of public human rights violation as specified by law;
5. to suggest policy and recommendation to revise laws, regulations to the national Assembly and the Council of Ministers to promote and protect human rights
6. to promote education, research and dissemination of information on human rights;
7. to promote cooperation and coordination among government agencies, private organizations, and other organizations in the field of human rights;
8. to prepare an annual report for the appraisal of situations in the sphere of human rights in the country and submit it to the National Assembly;
9. other powers and duties as provided by the law.

In the performance of its duties, the National Human Rights Commission shall also have regard to the interests of the country and the public.

The National Human Rights Commission has the power to demand relevant documents or evidence from any person or summon any person to give statements of fact and has other powers for the purpose of performing its duties as provided by the law.

3. National Economic and Social Advisory Council

Section 258

The National Economic and Social Advisory Council has the duty to provide advice and make suggestions to the Council of Ministers with regard to economic and social issues and relevant laws.

The economic and social development plans or other plans as provided by law have to be approved by the National Economic and Social Advisory Council prior to their implementation.

The organization’s composition, powers and duties, and functioning shall be in accordance with the provisions of the law.

The Office of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council shall have autonomy in personnel administration, budget and other activities as provided by law.