Praphan Naikowit and Sodsri Satayathum, who are both CDA and Election Commission (EC) members, insisted that the EC should be independent of the CDA, although some constitution drafters wanted to "oversee" how the EC prepares and manages the referendum.

During the CDA meeting, both members opposed a proposal that the CDA should be involved in the referendum process or act as a consultant to the commission to ensure that the referendum meets with public approval.

Praphan argued that the referendum was a serious issue for the EC and any mistake would be unacceptable.

After Phaphan's comment, the CDA panel's chairman Sawat Chotepanich said after consulting panel members that it was agreed that the commission should not work under the CDA. Otherwise, people may think that the government had interfered in the drafting of the constitution, he added.

However, one constitution drafter, Pairoj Phromsarn, insisted that the CDA should oversee the EC's preparations because it would be held responsible if the constitution was not accepted in the referendum.

"The EC should be open-minded on this option," he added.

The CDA is due to vote on the issue today.

A few days earlier, Sodsri threatened to resign from the 100-member CDA and the drafting committee if the motion was passed.

Pairoj said in the CDA session yesterday that he did not care who resigned. Sodsri was visibly upset after his remark.

Pairoj and Sodsri have been at odds over the issue since a six-day meeting of the 35-member Constitution Drafting Committee last week.