Senate Committee Mediates EC Lawsuit Against 'Red Shirt Woman' Over Ballot Box Incident

MGR Online•Politics•15h ago

Reader Briefing

A Senate committee is attempting to mediate a dispute between the Election Commission (EC) and a citizen accused of opening a ballot box, amidst concerns that the EC's legal action may be an attempt to silence public scrutiny.

•The Senate's Political Development Committee is mediating a case where the EC filed a lawsuit against Ms. Benjaporn Sukswang for allegedly opening a ballot box in Chonburi.
•Ms. Sukswang claims she had no malicious intent and was trying to highlight suspicious ballot box handling procedures.
•The committee chairman, Noraset Pradchayagorn, expressed concern that the EC's legal action might be seen as an attempt to 'silence the public' and could damage the EC's image.
•The committee also plans to investigate the EC regarding the barcode issue on ballot papers.

Overview

•The Senate Committee on Political Development convened a meeting to consider the case brought by the Election Commission (EC) against a citizen.
•The citizen, Ms. Benjaporn Sukswang, allegedly opened a ballot box in Chonburi's Election District 1.
•Committee Chair Noraset Pradchayagorn stated the aim was to mediate between the EC and the impacted citizens to avoid lawsuits.
•Noraset Pradchayagorn views the EC's legal action as potentially 'silencing the public' and detrimental to the EC's image.
•Ms. Benjaporn Sukswang asserted no malicious intent and aimed to highlight suspicious ballot box handling.
•Ms. Sukswang and her group have filed a counter-complaint against the Chonburi EC for filing a false report.
•The committee plans to investigate the EC regarding the barcode issue on ballot papers.
•Noraset Pradchayagorn indicated that discussions about potentially moving to the Constitutional Court to invalidate the election have not yet occurred.

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Key Quotes

Noraset Pradchayagorn

"Using the law to silence people creates fear, preventing them from scrutinizing."

การใช้กฎหมายปิดปาก เพื่อปิดปากประชาชน เป็นการสร้างความหวาดกลัวให้ประชาชนไม่กล้าตรวจสอบ

Benjaporn Sukswang

"I insist I had no intention of taking election documents out, but wanted to show the suspicious ballot box storage process."

ตนยืนยันว่าไม่มีเจตนาที่จะนำเอกสารเลือกตั้งออกมา แต่ต้องการแสดงให้เห็นกระบวนการจัดเก็บหีบบัตรเลือกตั้งที่น่าสงสัย

Benjaporn Sukswang

"I think this is a SLAPP lawsuit. From here, the public must take further action."

คิดว่าเป็นการฟ้องปิดปาก จากนี้ประชาชนต้องดำเนินการต่อไป

Key Entities

Organization

Senate Committee on Political Development(กมธ.การเมือง วุฒิสภา)

A committee of the Thai Senate investigating electoral processes and conflicts.

Election Commission (EC)(กกต.)ℹ️

The official body responsible for overseeing elections in Thailand, which has filed a lawsuit in this case.

Place

Chonburi Election District 1(เขต 1 ชลบุรี)

The specific electoral district in Chonburi province where the incident of opening the ballot box occurred.

Person

Benjaporn Sukswang(เบญจพร สุขสว่าง)

The citizen accused by the Election Commission of opening a ballot box, who claims no malicious intent.

Noraset Pradchayagorn(นายนรเศรษฐ์ ปรัชญากร)

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Political Development, mediating the dispute.

Khratchit Charoen-in(นายครรชิต เจริญอินทร์)

The Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission, who provided clarification to the committee.

Prayoon Wattanasiribanjong(นายประยูร วัฒนศิริบรรรจง)

The Director of Elections for Chonburi District 1, who provided clarification to the committee.