EC quick to launch probe of Thai Raksa Chart over ‘vote no’ campaign

[webfact]

EC quick to launch probe of Thai Raksa Chart over ‘vote no’ campaign

By THE NATION

 

File photo

 

MEMBERS OF the now-defunct Thai Raksa Chart Party may find themselves in trouble again after the Election Commission (EC) launched a new investigation against them for allegedly urging voters to vote for parties that are not affiliated to them or vote "no".
 

EC President Ittiporn Boonpracong said yesterday that an investigation committee has been set up to look into the matter. He said Thai Raksa Chart members might be violating the law that prohibits attempts to influence voters. The law clearly says voters must make a decision independently and without any outside influence, he said.

 

Whether this may lead to parties supported by Thai Raksa Chart being dissolved remains uncertain, Ittiporn said, adding that the agency will look into the issue objectively.

 

He added that the investigation is being conducted independently without any complaints being lodged with the EC, adding that the action was clear enough for the agency to pursue it.

 

After the anti-junta party was dissolved last week, some of the banned party executives allocated their resources to support other parties who follow similar ideologies, such as Pheu Thai and Future Forward.

 

They are also urging voters in areas that do not have candidates from these parties to vote “no” instead.

 

Under the 2017 Constitution, the “no” vote matters. If the majority of the votes are “no” votes, then a new election will be called and candidates who had previously run for the constituency will be banned from the race.

 

In response to the EC president’s statement yesterday, Thai Raksa Chart’s party-list MP candidate Chaturon Chaisaeng took to Twitter to ask if the pro-junta Phalang Pracharat Party would also be dissolved if his party had allocated resources to support it.

 

Meanwhile, the investigation against junta chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha and his affiliated party appears to be making progress very slowly.

 

Ittiporn said yesterday that the EC had only just completed its initial investigation into whether Phalang Pracharat’s fundraising had been unlawful, adding that the results will be submitted to the commissioners in the next day or two.

 

The president said he had learned from EC secretary-general Jarungvith Phumma that donations to Phalang Pracharat had come from individuals who were not foreigners, as it is forbidden by law. The investigators are now looking to see if the donors are related to state agencies, he added.

 

Investigation into whether Prayut is a state servant and if he should be disqualified as a PM candidate is also being worked on, he said, adding that this matter will also be submitted to the commissioners this week.

 

As for the recent logistical problems experienced in overseas voting, Ittiporn said the issue will be sorted out and there may not be the need for a by-election.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30365761

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-03-14

[Samui Bodoh]

"...EC quick to launch probe of Thai Raksa Chart over ‘vote no’ campaign.."

 

'Quick' to investigate the opposition...

 

"...Meanwhile, the investigation against junta chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha and his affiliated party appears to be making progress very slowly..."

 

'Slow' to investigate the Junta party/candidates...

 

Welcome to Thailand's "Democratic" election; it makes a mockery of the concept.

 

Thais are nice people; they do not deserve this...

 

 

Edited March 13, 2019 by Samui Bodoh

[Somtamnication]

So much for a fair election.

[Puchaiyank]

I'm sorry, but when I read the unbiased results of the EC investigations...it makes me laugh out loud...

 

More absurd non-sense...

 

The show...must go on!

[rkidlad]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

He said Thai Raksa Chart members might be violating the law that prohibits attempts to influence voters.

Right. But didn’t Suthep just tell people not to vote for the Democrats? I look forward to seeing Suthep being investigated with the same haste. 

[YetAnother]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

He said Thai Raksa Chart members might be violating the law that prohibits attempts to influence voters.

every party attempts to influence voters

[londonthai]

raksa chart doesn't exist anymore, so election commission can't do anything to them as a group, only can press charges against individuals. Shame on junta and thai political system for obstructing democratic rights

[nikmar]

1 hour ago, YetAnother said:

every party attempts to influence voters

Sutthep was only a day ago telling people not to vote for Democrats.

[grumbleweed]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

the law that prohibits attempts to influence voters

Stick to the traditional way of paying them

[ramrod711]

Nice photo, should be hanging in a post office somewhere.

[JAG]

1 hour ago, londonthai said:

raksa chart doesn't exist anymore, so election commission can't do anything to them as a group, only can press charges against individuals. Shame on junta and thai political system for obstructing democratic rights

Yes, but since the Thai Raksa Chart fellows are alleged to have mentioned Pheu Thai and Future Forward, that is where this is going.

 

One down, two to go?

[Misterwhisper]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

might be violating the law that prohibits attempts to influence voters. The law clearly says voters must make a decision independently and without any outside influence

Then why, oh why, dear Mr. EC President, have you not also set up an investigation committee against that obnoxious scoundrel, Suthep Theugsuban, who only yesterday was reported as having "urged Democrat supporters to NOT vote for the party" during a public speech he gave in Surat Thani? Why does Mr. Suthep apparently remain untouchable and is treated with velvet gloves?

 

 

[Lupatria]

Wonder how many parties will be left on "election day".

[DPKANKAN]

 "He said Thai Raksa Chart members might be violating the law that prohibits attempts to influence voters"

 

Call me old fashioned, naive, or just plain stupid, but I thought that was what pre-election canvassing is?!?!?????????????

[Chrisswe]

2 hours ago, nikmar said:

Sutthep was only a day ago telling people not to vote for Democrats.

Yes but Suteph stay behind the Junta !!!

[sammieuk1]

As this all looks crystal clear the commission should announce the election result now in keeping with expectations ????

Edited March 14, 2019 by sammieuk1

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, DPKANKAN said:

 "He said Thai Raksa Chart members might be violating the law that prohibits attempts to influence voters"

 

Call me old fashioned, naive, or just plain stupid, but I thought that was what pre-election canvassing is?!?!?????????????

 

Ah but the catch 22 is in the understanding / interpretation. Commonly known as wiggle room!

 

Influence by presenting your own policies and hoping people will vote for you fine.

Influence by slagging off opponents often with made up crap, not fine.

Encouraging people to vote no in order to force a new election for that area, not fine.

 

Now we shall see where Suthep's influencing people to not vote Democrat fits in.

[Cadbury]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

EC quick to launch probe of Thai Raksa Chart

As opposed to a slow and token probe into the expensive and elitist high table lavish gourmet pigfest organised by the Phalang Pracharat Party for their dubious fundraiser. 

[Eric Loh]

18 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Ah but the catch 22 is in the understanding / interpretation. Commonly known as wiggle room!

 

Influence by presenting your own policies and hoping people will vote for you fine.

Influence by slagging off opponents often with made up crap, not fine.

Encouraging people to vote no in order to force a new election for that area, not fine.

 

Now we shall see where Suthep's influencing people to not vote Democrat fits in.

You really think that the EC will give wiggle room for parties that are opposed to the junta. Where have you been all this while mate. 

[Caldera]

Couldn't I just transfer money to the Military Crooks Party to have it dissolved for receiving donations from a foreigner? I'd do it in a heartbeat.

[grumpy 4680]

      Democratic Elections have  failed to get off the ground before they even started, with the corrupt military run EC. 

     I really hope Thais are not to dumb, to see whats going on, and vote accordingly.

[Misterwhisper]

18 minutes ago, Caldera said:

Couldn't I just transfer money to the Military Crooks Party to have it dissolved for receiving donations from a foreigner? I'd do it in a heartbeat.

And I'd happily chip in a generous amount just for the sake of it -- and make the case even more compelling.

[jesimps]

4 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

You really think that the EC will give wiggle room for parties that are opposed to the junta. Where have you been all this while mate. 

Snurgling around the junta on here!

[Sydebolle]

Maybe it is really a good idea for the EC to make study trips overseas - then only they will understand, that in a democracy people should be allowed to say what they think.

Blocking the party is something which was done according to the laws of this country (I assume) but these (now defuct) officers are most certainly allowed to share their view - like every other voter in Thailand.

But maybe I am getting all this completely wrong again - might have to do with the fact that my home country has been a democracy for 728 years only!