Allegations of Proxy Voting in Senatorial Election Spark Inquiry

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

In a shocking turn of events, allegations that political parties employed proxy candidates to manipulate the recent senatorial election have surfaced.

 

Senator Somchai Srisutthiyakorn revealed concerning patterns in voter behaviour, claiming that certain individuals were strategically placed on ballots solely to bolster votes for specific party-affiliated candidates.

 

Somchai, a former Election Commission member and acting senator, asserted that an investigation into Sunday's election results uncovered numerous candidates who received no votes, suggesting they were only in the race to lend support to others. Under current senatorial election law, candidates may vote for themselves or another candidate.

 

"If these were genuine candidates, they would have at least voted for themselves," Somchai remarked, pointing out the unlikely scenario of zero votes.

 

He further disclosed that some candidates managed to progress to the provincial-level election with 8-10 votes, allegedly due to support from these "hired" candidates.

 

He blamed election officials for failing to properly vet candidates, noting that the law requires ten years of relevant experience for each candidate within their professional group.

 

Somchai also highlighted a loophole allowing candidates to bring "Sor Wor 3" documents into polling booths, potentially pre-marked with voting instructions from political parties. CCTV footage from polling stations could provide evidence to support these claims, he said.

 

As chairman of the Senate committee on human rights, freedom, liberties, and consumer protection, Somchai admitted that the committee is currently unable to halt the alleged malpractice but vowed to continue the investigation diligently.

 

He ominously predicted that the election's entire process might be invalidated if these allegations of vote-rigging are proven. As events unfold, the integrity of the senatorial election hangs in the balance, prompting worries about broader implications for political trust and democratic stability.

 

-- 2024-06-11

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

[stoner]

more shady dealings in thai politics....call me jacks complete lack of surprise. 

[Artisi]

And did anyone really believe this so-called free and fair appointment of senators to be anything other than a political manipulation? 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

In a shocking turn of events, allegations that political parties employed proxy candidates to manipulate the recent senatorial election have surfaced.

Are we surprised.

[ChrisY1]

"In a shocking turn of events".....proxy voting has never left any parliament. It's been going on for decades....a bit of noise is made, after which, the media simply forget everything.

[cncltd1973]

the system leaves the barn door open for a candidate to pay voters to elect him and it is shocking when allegations surface that it is being done?

[Gandtee]

Like rats running around in a bucket. Crookedness to be elected as respected representatives of Thai politics. Ah well. Par for the course.🤨

[Gottfrid]

This is unessecary news! Actually no news at all. Nobody ever expect anything to be fair and legal as well as right in a country that builds it´s government and authorities on corruption.

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

As events unfold, the integrity of the senatorial election hangs in the balance

What remaining integrity the Senate had was lost when the 2007 Constitution that allowed 50% of the senators to be publicly elected was abolished by the Gen. Prayut junta overthrow.

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

claiming that certain individuals were strategically placed on ballots solely to bolster votes for specific party-affiliated candidates

And thus, selection corruption of senators today would not be an unreasonable consequence to further the sovereignty of the Thai electorate that has lost its direct democratic rights to their future.

[The Alien]

Cry baby 🤣

[spidermike007]

So, what was the result? And how many army appointed senators were "re-elected"? 

 

They needed to be exiled, not put back into office. 

 

Thailand. A nation forever rejecting progress and freedom, and moving in reverse. 

[edwinchester]

Is it just me or is Senator Somchai worried that Move Forward may just have got alot of their candidates in a position to be elected to the Senate?

 

[SABloke]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

"If these were genuine candidates, they would have at least voted for themselves," Somchai remarked, pointing out the unlikely scenario of zero votes.

 

Wait - so he's saying that all candidates would vote for themselves?? In this scenario he plays out, does it not then lead to everyone receiving one vote and nobody winning?

[drrobert]

A slight problem here. The photo is of Mr Somchai Swangkarn chairman of the Senate committee on human rights, freedom, liberties, and consumer protection. Nothing to do with ex-Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn. The Bangkok Post article only refers to the comments as coming from Mr Somchai Swangkarn. There is no mention in the Bangkok Post article of Somchai Srisutthiayorn.

[MikeN]

3 hours ago, SABloke said:

 

Wait - so he's saying that all candidates would vote for themselves?? In this scenario he plays out, does it not then lead to everyone receiving one vote and nobody winning?

Each candidate in the first round has 2 votes, but can only give one vote per person. So everybody saves face by getting at least 1 vote if they vote for themselves, and the other "real vote" decides the winner.

[Farma]

Overheard conversation.

 

An occasional part-time maid was all smiles.

She received 500baht to apply as a candidate.

Another 1,000 baht to be selected plus another 1,000 baht to vote for a preferred candidate.

[SABloke]

40 minutes ago, MikeN said:

Each candidate in the first round has 2 votes, but can only give one vote per person. So everybody saves face by getting at least 1 vote if they vote for themselves, and the other "real vote" decides the winner.

 

Got it - that makes more sense then.

[herfiehandbag]

We'll just have to keep the existing Senate, as caretakers, for the time being (at least until the next election) whilst they investigate and thoroughly search the long grass. Shouldn't take more than 3 or 4 years.

[MikeN]

4 hours ago, Farma said:

Overheard conversation.

 

An occasional part-time maid was all smiles.

She received 500baht to apply as a candidate.

Another 1,000 baht to be selected plus another 1,000 baht to vote for a preferred candidate.

If true, did she know it was going to cost her 2500 baht to submit her application? zero profit for her then.

[Farma]

From what she was saying it was money in her hand.

 

Can only imagine her generous sponsor covered other expenses.