EC Member Sittichot challenges Senate rigging resolution details

MGR Online•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Election Commission member Sittichot Intrawiset disclosed that he and one other member were the minority votes advocating for the prosecution of high-profile political figures in a Senate election rigging case.

•Sittichot Intrawiset and Chai Na Nakhon were the two minority voices opposing the majority decision to dismiss charges against Bhumjaithai Party executives and MPs.
•Evidence cited by the minority includes 12 'cheat sheets' found in multiple provinces and CCTV footage from June 26, 2024.
•The EC majority voted 5 to 2 to dismiss complaints regarding Bhumjaithai Party members and 4 to 3 to prosecute 25 current Senators.
•All 7 EC members unanimously agreed to prosecute voters, candidates, and others with linked financial trails.

Overview

•Sittichot Intrawiset expressed dissatisfaction that the Election Commission Chairman did not disclose detailed voting results for each allegation during the September 14 press conference.
•Sittichot Intrawiset argued that evidence of rigging was widespread across provinces including Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phuket, Nong Bua Lamphu, Uthai Thani, Nakhon Sawan, and Sukhothai.
•Sittichot Intrawiset pointed to the existence of 12 'cheat sheets' and CCTV footage from June 26, 2024, as proof of fraudulent behavior in the Senate election.
•A meeting of new Senators at a Bangkok hotel after the July 21, 2024, announcement was allegedly attended by political party figures to determine the Senate leadership.
•The EC majority vote to dismiss charges against Bhumjaithai Party executives and MPs was 5 to 2, with the majority consisting of Narong Klanwarin, Anan Suwannarat, Narong Rakroi, Jirut Wisalchit, and Thitichett Nuchanat.
•Sittichot Intrawiset confirmed that the September 14 resolution is final and the case file will be forwarded to the Supreme Court.
•Investigation of financial trails was limited in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Surat Thani because a previous 4 to 3 EC vote refused to certify those financial paths.

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Key Entities

Person

Sittichot Intrawiset(สิทธิโชติ อินทรวิเศษ)

An Election Commission member who served as one of the two minority votes in the Senate rigging case.

Chai Na Nakhon(ชาย ณ นคร)

An Election Commission member and one of the two minority votes who supported the prosecution of high-profile individuals in the Senate rigging case.

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 charges against Bhumjaithai Party members.

Narong Rakroi(ณรงค์ รักร้อย)

A member of the Election Commission who voted with the majority to dismiss charges against Bhumjaithai Party members.

Jirut Wisalchit(จิรุตม์ วิศาลจิตร)

A member of the Election Commission who voted with the majority to dismiss charges against Bhumjaithai Party members.

Thitichett Nuchanat(ฐิติเชฏฐ์ นุชนาฏ)

An acting member of the Election Commission who voted with the majority to dismiss charges against Bhumjaithai Party members.

Direk Pornsima(ดิเรก พรสีมา)

A former Senate candidate from Group 3 in Maha Sarakham province.

Organization

Election Commission(กกต.)

The body responsible for overseeing the Senate election and investigating rigging allegations.

Bhumjaithai Party(พรรคภูมิใจไทย)ℹ️

A political party whose executives and MPs were subjects of allegations regarding Senate election rigging.

DSI(ดีเอสไอ)

The Department of Special Investigation mentioned as a potential collaborator for future investigations.

AMLO(ปปง.)ℹ️

The Anti-Money Laundering Office mentioned as a potential collaborator for future investigations.

Supreme Court(ศาลฎีกา)ℹ️

The court to which the Election Commission forwards cases for final adjudication.