EC Commissioner Sittichot contests Senate collusion vote details

Thansettakij•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Election Commission member Sittichot Intrawiset disclosed the split votes and evidence regarding allegations of fraud in the Senate election.

•Sittichot Intrawiset and Chai Na Nakhon were the two minority votes who believed there was sufficient evidence to prosecute certain political party members.
•The Election Commission (EC) voted 5 to 2 to dismiss allegations against Bhumjaithai Party executives and MPs.
•The EC voted 4 to 3 to prosecute 25 current Senators, and unanimously (7 votes) to prosecute a group of voters and candidates with linked financial trails.
•Sittichot Intrawiset cited the discovery of 12 'cheat sheets' and CCTV footage from June 26, 2024, as evidence of fraud.

•Sittichot Intrawiset clarified the EC's September 14 vote, stating that the decision regarding political party members was not unanimous.
•Sittichot Intrawiset argued that fraud occurred across multiple provinces, including Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phuket, Nong Bua Lamphu, Uthai Thani, Nakhon Sawan, and Sukhothai.
•Sittichot Intrawiset cited CCTV footage from June 26, 2024, showing voters using cheat sheets to support the claim that fraud occurred before the investigation began.
•Sittichot Intrawiset mentioned a meeting on July 21, 2024, in Bangkok where new Senators and political party members met to determine the Senate President and Deputy President.
•Sittichot Intrawiset denied the existence of a 'Blue EC' faction, stating that the disagreement was based on individual reasons for this specific case.
•Sittichot Intrawiset confirmed that the EC resolution from September 14 cannot be changed and the case file will be forwarded to the Supreme Court.
•Sittichot Intrawiset suggested that future investigations should involve cooperation between the EC, DSI, AMLO, and police to better track nationwide behavior.

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Sittichot Intrawiset(สิทธิโชติ อินทรวิเศษ)

An Election Commission member and former judge who was one of the two minority votes in the Senate collusion case.

Chai Na Nakhon(ชาย ณ นคร)

An Election Commission member who joined Sittichot Intrawiset as a minority vote to prosecute certain parties.

Narong Klanwarin(ณรงค์ กลั่นวารินทร์)

The Chairman of the Election Commission.

Anan Suwannarat(อนันต์ สุวรรณรัตน์)

A member of the Election Commission who voted with the majority to dismiss the party-related allegations.

Narong Rakroi(ณรงค์ รักร้อย)

A member of the Election Commission who voted with the majority to dismiss the party-related allegations.

Jirut Wisalchit(จิรุตม์ วิศาลจิตร)

A member of the Election Commission who voted with the majority to dismiss the party-related allegations.

Thitichett Nutchanat(ฐิติเชฏฐ์ นุชนาฏ)

An acting Election Commission member who voted with the majority to dismiss the party-related allegations.

Direk Pornsima(ดิเรก พรสีมา)

A former Senate Group 3 candidate from Maha Sarakham province who provided information consistent with witness 16/26.

Ekarat Changlao(เอกราช ช่างเหลา)

Witness code 16/26 who changed their testimony, leading the majority to not prosecute party executives.

Election Commission(กกต.)

The body responsible for overseeing elections and deciding whether to prosecute election fraud cases.

Bhumjaithai Party(ภูมิใจไทย)ℹ️

The political party whose executives and MPs had allegations dismissed by a 5 to 2 EC vote.

Supreme Court(ศาลฎีกา)ℹ️

The judicial body to which the Election Commission sends cases for prosecution.

DSI(ดีเอสไอ)

An agency Sittichot Intrawiset suggested should cooperate with the EC to track election fraud.

AMLO(ปปง.)ℹ️

An agency Sittichot Intrawiset suggested should cooperate with the EC to track financial trails.

Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senators(พ.ร.ป.ว่าด้วยการได้มาซึ่ง สว.)

The law governing the election of Senators, specifically cited regarding Sections 62 and 77 (1).