EC, Public Urged to Mediate Lawsuit Withdrawal

MGR Online•Politics•11h ago

Reader Briefing

A Thai Senate committee is mediating a dispute between the Election Commission (EC) and citizens over a lawsuit, urging both sides to resolve the matter amicably.

•A Senate committee is attempting to mediate a lawsuit filed by the Election Commission (EC) against citizens in Chonburi. The committee suggests both parties withdraw the case.
•The EC stated that not prosecuting the citizens could lead to legal charges against EC officials under Section 157 (dereliction of duty).
•Citizens are seeking to prove their innocence and were questioning the integrity of ballot box handling during a recent election.
•Both sides are encouraged to discuss the issues further with the EC in Chonburi to find a resolution.

Overview

•A political committee from the Thai Senate is acting as a mediator between the Election Commission (EC) and citizens involved in a lawsuit.
•The mediation efforts took place at the Parliament, with discussions occurring on February 17. The meeting time was 13:00.
•The committee is facilitating discussions to encourage both the EC and the citizens to withdraw the lawsuit.
•Citizens are seeking to verify the integrity of ballot recounts in Constituency 1, Chonburi, following irregularities observed during the election.
•The EC, represented by Deputy Secretary-General Kroechit Charoen-in, stated that not pursuing legal action against citizens could result in charges against EC officials under Section 157.
•Committee Chair Noraset Pradchayanapun questioned if charging citizens for seeking transparency and rights constitutes a silencing tactic.
•Citizens and the EC are encouraged to engage in further discussions with the Chonburi EC office to resolve the legal dispute.
•A successful mediation and lawsuit withdrawal would benefit both the public, who need to prove their innocence, and the EC, by improving its public image and avoiding perceptions of silencing dissent.

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Key Quotes

Noraset Pradchayanapun

"If mediation is successful and the lawsuit is withdrawn, it will be beneficial for both sides."

ถ้ามีการไกล่เกลี่ยและถอนฟ้องกันได้ก็จะเป็นประโยชน์กับทั้งสองฝั่ง

Noraset Pradchayanapun

"Is it an act of silencing the public by wielding power, when citizens are questioned and demanded rights from, and sued by those in authority after seeking transparency?"

การทำหน้าที่ประชาชนสอบถามเรียกร้องสิทธิ์ ตรวจสอบความถูกต้องโปร่งใสจนถูกฟ้องร้องจากผู้มีอำนาจ เป็นการกระทำในลักษณะฟ้องปิดปากหรือไม่

Kroechit Charoen-in

"The EC did not intend to sue the public, but if the case is not pursued, they could be sued under Section 157 for dereliction of duty."

กกต.ไม่ได้มีความตั้งใจจะฟ้องร้องประชาชน แต่ถ้าหากไม่ดำเนินคดีอาจถูกฟ้องร้องตามมาตรา 157 ละเว้นการปฏิบัติหน้าที่ได้เช่นกัน

Marisa Pidsaya

"The charges filed by the EC are criminal, and even if the complainant withdraws the complaint, it does not preclude investigators and prosecutors from proceeding with the case."

ข้อหาที่ กกต.แจ้งความเป็นอาญาแผ่นดินและผู้ร้องทุกข์จะถอนแจ้งความ ก็ไม่ตัดสิทธิ์ที่พนักงานสอบสวนและอัยการจะดำเนินคดีต่อ ยังติดอยู่ตรงนั้นอยู่ดี

Key Entities

Organization

Senate Political Committee(กมธ.การเมือง วุฒิฯ)

A Thai Senate committee that is mediating a lawsuit between the Election Commission and citizens.

Election Commission (EC)(กกต.)ℹ️

The Thai governmental body involved in a legal dispute with citizens over election processes.

Chonburi EC(กกต.ชลบุรี)

The provincial branch of the Election Commission in Chonburi, which is the direct party involved in the lawsuit against citizens.

Person

Noraset Pradchayanapun(นายนรเศรษฐ์ ปรัชญากร)

Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Political Development, Public Participation, Human Rights, Liberties, and Consumer Protection, acting as a mediator.

Kroechit Charoen-in(นายครรชิต เจริญอินทร์)

Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission (EC), who provided a statement regarding the potential Section 157 violation.

Marisa Pidsaya(น.ส.มาริสา ปิดสายะ)

Lawyer from the Human Rights Center representing the citizens involved in the lawsuit with the EC.

Place

Chonburi Province(จ.ชลบุรี)ℹ️

The province where the election irregularities and subsequent lawsuit occurred.

Law

Section 157(มาตรา 157)

A section of Thai law concerning dereliction of duty, which the EC cites as a reason for pursuing legal action against citizens.