Court rules 20-year local election ban is constitutional

Matichon•Politics•20d ago

Reader Briefing

The Constitutional Court ruled that a 20-year revocation of voting rights under the Local Election Act is consistent with the Constitution.

•The Constitutional Court voted 7 to 1 that Section 120 of the Local Election Act 2019 does not violate the Constitution.
•The ruling concerns the 20-year revocation of voting rights for individuals who apply for election knowing they lack qualifications.
•The case was referred by the Appeal Court Region 2 following an objection by defendant Kiattikun Suknet.

•On August 5, the Constitutional Court met to consider a case referred by the Appeal Court Region 2.
•The case involved a challenge by Kiattikun Suknet regarding the constitutionality of Section 120 of the Local Election Act 2019.
•The Constitutional Court evaluated whether the 20-year revocation of voting rights contradicted Section 26, first paragraph, of the Constitution.
•The Constitutional Court reached a majority decision of 7 to 1 that the provision is not unconstitutional.
•Seven judges, including Udom Sitthiviratchatham and Jiraniti Hawanon, voted in the majority, while one judge, Wirun Saengthian, voted in the minority.
•Judge Wirun Saengthian viewed that the 20-year revocation of voting rights did contradict Section 26, first paragraph, of the Constitution.
•Section 120 of the Local Election Act 2019 prescribes imprisonment of 1 to 20 years, a fine of 20,000 to 200,000 baht, and a 20-year voting right revocation for those ineligible to run for office.
•Section 26 of the 2017 Constitution stipulates that laws limiting rights and liberties must not impose an unreasonable burden or violate the rule of law.

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Constitutional Court(ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️

The judicial body that ruled on the constitutionality of the Local Election Act.

Appeal Court Region 2(ศาลอุทธรณ์ภาค 2)

The court that forwarded the defendant's objection to the Constitutional Court.