ECT Insider reveals irregularities in Senate vote rigging probe

Matichon•Politics•9h ago

Reader Briefing

An Election Commission insider has raised concerns over irregularities in the investigation of Senate election rigging by Committee 26.

•The Election Commission (ECT) voted on September 14 to prosecute 77 out of 229 accused individuals in Senate election rigging cases.
•ECT members Sithichot Intharawiset and Chai Nakornchai were in the minority, voting to prosecute leaders and executives of the Bhumjaithai Party.
•An internal source cited three irregularities in Committee 26's work, including the use of DSI facilities for witness testimony and the failure to summon Bhumjaithai Party security personnel.

•On September 14, the Election Commission (ECT) resolved to prosecute 77 individuals out of 229 accused parties.
•Sithichot Intharawiset and Chai Nakornchai confirmed they were the minority voters who pushed for the prosecution of Bhumjaithai Party executives due to sufficient evidence of Senate election rigging.
•Committee 26, chaired by Chanin Noilek, collaborated with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to produce a 75,722-page investigation report.
•Committee 26 was established as an additional unit beyond the usual 25 committees because of the importance and volume of the case.
•An ECT source claims Committee 26 conducted witness testimonies at DSI buildings instead of ECT offices, which is considered irregular.
•An ECT source noted that Committee 26 did not summon security personnel or inspect the Bhumjaithai Party office despite claims from a politician from Khon Kaen regarding rigging activities there.
•Three separate investigation files involving the People's Party, Progressive Movement, iLaw, and independent Senators remain unfinished by Committee 26.
•Investigations into a meeting at the Jupiter Room, Impact Muang Thong Thani, are described as delayed despite evidence of funded catering for candidates.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Election Commission(คณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง)

The body responsible for overseeing elections and investigating Senate vote rigging.

Bhumjaithai Party(พรรคภูมิใจไทย)ℹ️

A political party whose executives were accused of involvement in Senate election rigging.

Department of Special Investigation(กรมสอบสวนคดีพิเศษ)ℹ️

The agency (DSI) that worked with Committee 26 on the Senate rigging investigation.

People's Party(พรรคประชาชน)

A party whose related groups are subject to ongoing investigation files by Committee 26.

Progressive Movement(คณะก้าวหน้า)ℹ️

A group whose related members are subject to ongoing investigation files by Committee 26.

iLaw(ไอลอว์)

An organization whose related members are subject to ongoing investigation files by Committee 26.

Narong Klanwarin(ณรงค์ กลั่นวารินทร์)

The Chairperson of the Election Commission.

Phasakorn Siriphakayaporn(ภาสกร สิริภคยาพร)

The Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission.

Sithichot Intharawiset(สิทธิโชติ อินทรวิเศษ)

An Election Commission member who voted for the prosecution of Bhumjaithai Party executives.

Chai Nakornchai(ชาย นครชัย)

An Election Commission member who voted for the prosecution of Bhumjaithai Party executives.

Chanin Noilek(ชนินทร์ น้อยเล็ก)

The Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission and Chairperson of Committee 26.

Ittiporn Boonprakong(อิทธิพร บุญประคอง)

The former Chairperson of the Election Commission who appointed Committee 36.

Jupiter Room, Impact Muang Thong Thani(ห้องจูปิเตอร์ อิมเเพค เมืองทองธานี)

The location of a meeting for Senate candidates that is currently under investigation.