Government and ECT face lawsuits over Senate election case

MGR Online•Politics•22h ago

Reader Briefing

The Election Commission of Thailand decided to sue 77 individuals in a Senate election collusion case, leading to accusations of political whitewashing.

•The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) voted on September 14 to sue 77 accused persons in the 'Senate Collusion' case.
•The ECT's decision to sue 77 people contradicts a previous recommendation from the 26th investigation subcommittee to sue 229 people.
•Critics and legal experts suggest the ECT applied criminal evidence standards to a political measure, potentially protecting high-ranking Bhumjaithai Party members.
•The ECT faces potential lawsuits under Section 157 for dereliction of duty.

Overview

•The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) resolved on September 14 to file a lawsuit against 77 accused individuals in the 'Senate Collusion' case with the Supreme Court's Election Division.
•Out of the 77 accused, 26 are current Senators, including General Sawad Thatsana and Police Lieutenant General Boonchan Nuansai.
•The 26th investigation subcommittee had previously proposed suing 229 individuals, including Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul and Newin Chidsob.
•Independent scholar Wat Tingsamit stated the ECT applied criminal proof standards requiring 'beyond reasonable doubt' instead of the 'reasonable evidence' standard required by Section 62 of the Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senators 2018.
•The decision is perceived as a 'whitewash' because no core leaders of the Bhumjaithai Party were among the 77 sued.
•The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) and the government led by Anutin Charnvirakul are facing public criticism and potential legal action under Section 157.
•Criticism of the ECT's decision is expected to intensify and extend into the upcoming parliamentary censure debate.

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Key Entities

Organization

Election Commission of Thailand(คณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง)ℹ️

The independent body responsible for overseeing elections and deciding which accused persons to sue in the Senate collusion case.

Bhumjaithai Party(พรรคภูมิใจไทย)ℹ️

A political party whose core leaders were not included in the 77 people sued by the Election Commission of Thailand.

Supreme Court's Election Division(ศาลฎีกาแผนกคดีเลือกตั้ง)

The court to which the Election Commission of Thailand filed the lawsuit against 77 accused individuals.

Person

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

Leader of the Bhumjaithai Party and leader of the government.

Newin Chidsob(เนวิน ชิดชอบ)

A leader of the Bhumjaithai Party who was among the 229 people originally proposed for prosecution.

Chaichanok Chidsob(ไชยชนก ชิดชอบ)

President of the Senate and a member of the 229 people originally proposed for prosecution.

Wat Tingsamit(วัส ติงสมิตร)

An independent scholar and former senior judge of the Supreme Court.

Sawad Thatsana(สวัสดิ์ ทัศนา)

A current Senator among the 77 people sued by the Election Commission of Thailand.

Boonchan Nuansai(บุญจันทร์ นวลสาย)

A current Senator among the 77 people sued by the Election Commission of Thailand.

Mongkol Surasajja(มงคล สุระสัจจะ)ℹ️

The first Deputy President of the Senate and a member of the 229 people originally proposed for prosecution.

Pharadon Prisnanantakul(ภราดร ปริศนานันทกุล)

A minister and member of the 229 people originally proposed for prosecution.

Kriengkrai Srirak(เกรียงไกร ศรีรักษ์)

A General and member of the 229 people originally proposed for prosecution.

Law

Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senators 2018(พ.ร.ป.ว่าด้วยการได้มาซึ่งสมาชิกวุฒิสภา พ.ศ. 2561)

The law containing Section 62 regarding the revocation of election and candidacy rights.

Section 157(มาตรา 157)

The law regarding the omission or misconduct of official duties used as a basis for potential lawsuits against the Election Commission of Thailand.