Lawyer Chao criticizes ECT Chairman over Senator collusion case

MGR Online•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Former Democrat Party spokesperson Chao Meekuad criticized the Election Commission Chairman for using his past judicial experience to justify decisions in a Senator collusion case.

•Chao Meekuad questioned if the Election Commission (ECT) exceeded its authority by weighing witness evidence like a court.
•The ECT resolved to send 77 individuals, including 26 current Senators, to court for collusion.
•Chao Meekuad argued that the ECT should consider circumstantial evidence such as phone records and money trails to identify larger networks.
•The critique followed a statement by ECT Chairman Narong Klannwarin regarding his 38-year tenure as a judge.

Overview

•On September 15, Chao Meekuad posted a critique on Facebook regarding the ECT's handling of the Senator collusion case.
•Chao Meekuad questioned why politicians from the Bhumjaithai Party were all cleared and whether the ECT exceeded its authority in weighing witness evidence.
•Chao Meekuad argued that relying on a witness's criminal history—such as witness 16/26's previous 11-year prison sentence—is not sufficient to dismiss the testimony without checking other evidence.
•The ECT has decided to send 77 people to court, consisting of 26 current Senators, 36 eligible voters, and 15 other individuals.
•Chao Meekuad asserted that according to Section 226 of the Constitution, the ECT's duty is to filter cases based on 'reasonable belief' of evidence, not to act as the final judge.
•The current four members of the ECT, including the Chairman, were approved by the Senate whose origin is currently being questioned.
•Chao Meekuad warned that using past judicial status as a shield may damage the image of the judiciary and could lead to legal consequences for the Chairman in the future.

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Key Quotes

Chao Meekuad

"38 years as a judge, or losing one's way in old age?"

38 ปีผู้พิพากษา หรือกำลังเสียคนตอนแก่?

Key Entities

Person

Chao Meekuad(เชาว์ มีขวด)

Former Deputy Spokesperson of the Democrat Party.

Narong Klannwarin(ณรงค์ กลั่นวารินทร์)

Chairman of the Election Commission who served as a judge for 38 years.

Organization

Election Commission(คณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง)

The body responsible for overseeing elections and filtering collusion cases to be sent to court.

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)

The political party where Chao Meekuad previously served as Deputy Spokesperson.

Bhumjaithai Party(พรรคภูมิใจไทย)ℹ️

The political party mentioned in relation to politicians who were cleared and a witness who was expelled from the party.

Senate(วุฒิสภา)ℹ️

The body that approved the current members of the Election Commission.

Law

Constitution Section 226(รัฐธรรมนูญมาตรา 226)

The legal provision regarding the standard of evidence required to believe a person committed an offense.