ECP Investigates Abnormal Payments, Addresses Election Issues

MGR Online•Politics•266d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai Election Commission awaits central bank data to probe financial irregularities amidst preparations for advance voting and overseas ballots.

•The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) is awaiting data from the Bank of Thailand (BOT) to investigate abnormal fund disbursements during the election period.
•ECT is also clarifying the qualification status of Dr. Suphat Hasuwanakit, a Songkhla MP candidate, following his dismissal from public service.
•Preparations for advance voting on February 1, are complete, and overseas ballots are being processed, with minor delays being addressed.

Overview

•On January 29, the ECT held a meeting to request information from the Bank of Thailand regarding abnormal fund transfers or disbursements.
•The ECT is actively coordinating with the Bank of Thailand to obtain details on unusual financial transactions related to election management.
•The ECT has not yet received the requested financial data from the Bank of Thailand but expects it soon to proceed with investigations.
•The ECT is also awaiting information from the Ministry of Public Health regarding the disciplinary proceedings against Dr. Suphat Hasuwanakit regarding his eligibility as an MP candidate.
•The ECT President stated that Dr. Suphat Hasuwanakit is currently still qualified as a candidate for Songkhla MP, Constituency 2, pending the disciplinary review.
•Advance voting is scheduled for February 1, and the ECT has prepared all polling stations for the event.
•Overseas ballots have begun arriving in Thailand since January 25, with ongoing processing and follow-up on minor delivery delays.
•Approximately 60 complaints have been filed with the ECT, with most concerning misleading or improper campaigning, and a smaller number related to vote-buying.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on MGR Online (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: MGR Online (Original)

View Original Article

Key Quotes

Narong Khlanwarin

"We must look at the disciplinary process of the Ministry of Public Health. We have to wait for the report on what disciplinary offense Dr. Suphat was charged with. Currently, Dr. Suphat is still qualified as a candidate for Songkhla MP, Constituency 2."

เราต้องไปดูกระบวนการทางวินัยของกระทรวงสาธารณสุข ต้องรอรายงานว่า นพ.สุภัทร ถูกลงโทษทางวินัยเรื่องอะไร ขณะนี้ ยังถือว่า นพ.สุภัทร ยังมีคุณสมบัติเป็นผู้สมัคร สส.สงขลา เขต 2 อยู่

Narong Khlanwarin

"If we know where vote-buying is happening, we will go to the area immediately for more information to investigate further."

หากทราบว่ามีการซื้อสิทธิ์ขายเสียงอยู่ในพื้นที่ไหน ก็จะลงพื้นที่ไปหาข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมทันที เพื่อสืบสวนสอบสวนต่อไป

Key Entities

Organization

Election Commission of Thailand (ECT)(กกต.)ℹ️

The official body responsible for overseeing elections in Thailand, currently investigating financial irregularities and electoral complaints.

Bank of Thailand (BOT)(ธปท.)ℹ️

The central bank of Thailand, whose data on financial transactions is being sought by the ECT for election-related investigations.

Ministry of Public Health(กระทรวงสาธารณสุข)ℹ️

The government ministry whose disciplinary proceedings against Dr. Suphat Hasuwanakit are relevant to his eligibility as an MP candidate.

Person

Narong Khlanwarin(นายณรงค์ กลั่นวารินทร์)

President of the Election Commission of Thailand, who is overseeing the commission's readiness and investigations.

Dr. Suphat Hasuwanakit(นพ.สุภัทร ฮาสุวรรณกิจ)

A candidate for Songkhla MP Constituency 2, whose eligibility is under review following dismissal from his public health role.

Place

Songkhla Constituency 2(สงขลา เขต 2)

The electoral district in Songkhla province represented by the MP candidate Dr. Suphat Hasuwanakit.