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EC Secretary-General: Legal Action Feared; Committee Urges "Step Back"

EC Secretary-General: Legal Action Feared; Committee Urges "Step Back"

Khaosod•Politics•6h ago

Reader Briefing

A parliamentary committee mediates a dispute between the Election Commission (EC) and citizens regarding election results in Chonburi, with the EC citing potential legal repercussions for not filing lawsuits, while the committee urges a compromise.

  • •A Senate committee served as a mediator between the Election Commission (EC) and citizens in Chonburi over election result disputes.
  • •The EC's Deputy Secretary-General stated that not prosecuting citizens could lead to charges of dereliction of duty under Section 157.
  • •The committee advised both parties to take a step back and seek mediation to withdraw lawsuits, benefiting public trust and the EC's image.
  • •Citizen rights lawyers are evaluating the EC's statements to determine if lawsuits will be withdrawn.

Overview

  • •On February 17, 2026, the Senate committee considered the case of legal action against citizens participating in the demand for a recount in Chonburi's Constituency 1.
  • •Senator Noraset Pratchakorn, as committee chairman, provided a space for all parties to discuss and understand each other's intentions.
  • •Deputy EC Secretary-General Korchit Jaroen-in stated that the EC did not intend to sue the public, but not prosecuting could result in charges under Section 157.
  • •Citizens questioned the sealing and transportation of ballot boxes, claiming some were sealed with tape and not properly signed, contrary to EC regulations.
  • •Senator Noraset Pratchakorn questioned if suing citizens for exercising their right to inquire and demand transparency constitutes a "gag lawsuit."
  • •Both sides are encouraged to communicate with the Chonburi EC to mediate and potentially withdraw lawsuits.
  • •Marisa Pitsaiya, a lawyer from the People's Human Rights Centre, expressed willingness to discuss the facts and proposals with the EC.
  • •The legal team and their clients will convene to decide on further actions, with the aim of achieving a mutual resolution.

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Key Quotes

Noraset Pratchakorn
"I hope that in the next process, the public will have discussions with the Chonburi EC, who is suing the public. If there is mediation and withdrawal of the lawsuit, it will be beneficial for both sides."
ตนนึกหวังว่ากระบวนการต่อไป ประชาชนจะมีการพูดคุยกับ กกต.ชลบุรี ซึ่งเป็นผู้ฟ้องร้องประชาชน ถ้ามีการไกล่เกลี่ยและถอนฟ้องกันได้ ก็จะเป็นประโยชน์กับทั้งสองฝั่ง
Korchit Jaroen-in
"The EC did not intend to sue the public, but if no legal action is taken, it could be sued under Section 157 for dereliction of duty."
กกต.ไม่ได้ตั้งใจจะฟ้องประชาชน แต่ถ้าหากไม่ดำเนินคดี อาจถูกฟ้องร้องตามมาตรา 157 ละเว้นการปฏิบัติหน้าที่ได้เช่นกัน
Marisa Pitsaiya
"I am pleased to hear the clarification from both Mr. Korchit and the Director of Chonburi EC, District 1. We understand the reasons for reporting and the intent for inspection as stipulated by constitutional rights and duties."
รู้สึกยินดีที่รับฟังการชี้แจงจาก กกต.ทั้งนายครรชิต และ ผอ.กกต.ชลบุรี เขต 1 ได้ทราบถึงเหตุผลการแจ้งความ และชี้แจงเหตุผลเจตนาเพื่อการตรวจสอบตามสิทธิและหน้าที่รัฐธรรมนูญกำหนดไว้

Key Entities

Organization

Election Commission (EC)(กกต.)ℹ️
The national body responsible for overseeing elections in Thailand.
Senate Committee on Political Development(กมธ.พัฒนาการเมืองฯ สว.)
The parliamentary committee that mediated the dispute between the EC and citizens.
Chonburi Election Commission(กกต.ชลบุรี)
The provincial branch of the Election Commission responsible for the disputed election in Chonburi.
People's Human Rights Centre(ศูนย์สิทธิมนุษยชนของภาคประชาชน)
An organization providing legal representation to the citizens involved in the election dispute.

Person

Noraset Pratchakorn(นายนรเศรษฐ์ ปรัชญากร)
Senator and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Political Development who mediated the dispute.
Korchit Jaroen-in(นายครรชิต เจริญอินทร์)
Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission (EC).
Marisa Pitsaiya(น.ส.มาริสา ปิดสายะ)
A lawyer representing the citizens involved in the dispute.

Law

Section 157(ม.157)
The legal provision concerning dereliction of duty, cited by the EC as a reason for potential legal action.

Place

Chonburi's Constituency 1(เขตเลือกตั้งที่ 1 จ.ชลบุรี)
The specific electoral district in Chonburi where disputes over vote counting and election results occurred.