Election Commissioners Face Removal Over Senatorial Election Fiasco

[webfact]

 

In a dramatic turn of events, all seven election commissioners could soon be ousted by the Constitutional Court for their alleged mishandling of the senatorial elections held a few months ago.

 

The commissioners are accused of failing to ensure a transparent and fair election process, particularly casting a shadow over the contested election in Songkhla.

 

If the Supreme Court, expected to deliver a ruling shortly, deems the Songkhla election null and void, this could have sweeping consequences. The entire election for the 200 Senate seats nationwide may also be declared invalid. This scenario would necessitate re-elections across all districts and provinces, an informed source disclosed today.

The controversial election featured a unique three-tier vote system conducted among contestants rather than through direct constituent voting. Allegations have surfaced that this system was rife with electoral rigging, allegedly manipulated by undisclosed elements tied to Bhumjaithai, the country’s second-largest coalition partner.

 

Many of the senators elected, including Senate Speaker Mongkol Surasajja, are suspected to have operated under the influence of the Bhumjaithai Party. The party, which is significantly influenced by its de facto leader, Newin Chidchob, allegedly played a covert role in affecting the election’s outcome.

 

The potential removal of all seven election commissioners and the possible call for nation-wide re-elections mark an unprecedented chapter in the nation’s democratic processes.

 

The unfolding drama has put the integrity of the electoral system under the microscope, raising critical questions about the transparency and fairness of future elections, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

This situation continues to evolve, with the Thailand Supreme Court’s ruling expected to be the next significant development.

 

TOP Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

-- 2024-09-23

 

[bradiston]

Great news. The EC is a pathetic crowd of yes men. The senate election was a complete farce. But I doubt the CC will act. After all, the BJT dominated Senate is proving a useful conservative replacement for the old Senate. The focus now is on isolating the PP. Old enemies will unite to keep them out.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

If the Supreme Court, expected to deliver a ruling shortly, deems the Songkhla election null and void, this could have sweeping consequences. The entire election for the 200 Senate seats nationwide may also be declared invalid. This scenario would necessitate re-elections across all districts and provinces, an informed source disclosed today.

If all 7 are booted out then the senate must be dissolved and a new election process started.

[Andycoops]

Completely corrupt process with completely corrupt overseer's in the EC.

The whole senate debacle created by an illegal government in the first place, is an affront to democracy.

[dinsdale]

Wow!!!!!! A bunch of corrupt rsholes in the CC threatening to boot out a bunch of corrupt rsholes in the EC.

[dinsdale]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The controversial election

It was a selection not an election and the adjective controversial is not descriptive of this selection process. Three better adjectives that spring to mind are corrupt, sham and undemocratic.

[JoePai]

the integrity of the electoral system  🤣🤣🤣

[Hunz Kittisak]

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Wow!!!!!! A bunch of corrupt rsholes in the CC threatening to boot out a bunch of corrupt rsholes in the EC.

Seems the CC has the highest power in the land now. 

[mfd101]

Mmmm, but I think that to rerun the Senate election on a proper democratic process (ie the people get to vote) would require the dinosaur-designed Constitution to be redesigned. Which is probably - at this stage - impossible.

 

In any case, removing the 7 EC guys will be a key move in the right direction, if it actually happens. And if it does, what's the next step?

 

Fascinating Thailand. As ever.

[dinsdale]

2 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Mmmm, but I think that to rerun the Senate election on a proper democratic process (ie the people get to vote) would require the dinosaur-designed Constitution to be redesigned. Which is probably - at this stage - impossible.

 

In any case, removing the 7 EC guys will be a key move in the right direction, if it actually happens. And if it does, what's the next step?

 

Fascinating Thailand. As ever.

Next step needs to be the CC. IMHO both should be gone. They are merely there to protect the status quo that is to say protect the royalist establishment.

[spidermike007]

The election commission along with the anti-corruption commission have long been two of the least effective bodies working within Thailand. They are both corrupt and they both simply do the bidding of the powerful people controlling events. If this thing is dissolved and if these senators are reelected nothing much is going to change. 

 

This also brings into question the legitimacy of the Supreme Court are they even a legitimate body? 

[Srikcir]

In addion to the Senate, EC needs to be 100% elected by the electorate, ie., through their elected ministers in the House. And the House needs subpoena power to not only hold the EC  accountable but all the quasi-state organization such as the Anti-Corrption Commission.

[bradiston]

15 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

In addion to the Senate, EC needs to be 100% elected by the electorate, ie., through their elected ministers in the House. And the House needs subpoena power to not only hold the EC  accountable but all the quasi-state organization such as the Anti-Corrption Commission.

Agree. Thailand is at the mercy of these over endowed institutions, the EC, the CC, and all the silly committees they set up at every opportunity. Wage committee, weed committee, casino committee, land bridge, economic corridors, floods, rice, bananas, peanuts... Ha!