The panel yesterday moved for a Constitution Court interpretation of a clause determining the experience commissioners must have.

Article 256 (3) says commissioners must have held government positions at the director general level, or its equivalent.

The panel was unsure of the definition of "equivalent". They said their quandary affected the determination of five of the 18 nominees.

The panel wanted a definitive ruling on what non-government-sector positions were equal.

It wanted caretaker Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua to seek a Constitution Court interpretation on the five nominees in question.

They were National Economic and Social Development Board deputy secretary-general Santi Bangor, deputy Auditor General Sajja Sasanawin, Office of Basic Education Commission deputy secretary-general Areerat Wattanasin, National Police Commission assistant commissioner Pol Lt Gen Wanchai Srinualnad and former rector of Suan Sunantha Rajabhat University Assoc Prof Dilok Bunruangrod.

The panel also wanted Suchon to seek an amendment of the article to remove the ambiguous phrase. It wanted specific non-government-sector positions that met criteria.