EC Endorses Another 94 MPs, Jatuporn Still Not Approved

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EC endorses another 94 MPs

By The Nation

Jatuporn still not approved; first House session will start on Monday

The Election Commission endorsed another 94 MPs last night, which means that there is a sufficient number of newly elected MPs to convene the first meeting of the House of Representatives.

Only four out of the 500 MPs-elect failed to get the green light, including red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan, who is in remand over terrorism charges in connection with last year's rioting.

The EC decided to call for a new round of voting in Sukhothai's Constituency 3, where Bhum Jai Thai candidate Jakrawan Chaiwiratnukul won; and in Nong Khai's Constituency 2 where Pheu Thai candidate Somkid Banthaisong won. It has also called for the recounting of ballots in Yala's Constituency 1, where Democrat candidate Prasert Pongsuwansiri won by a slim margin.

According to the law, the new House can only convene its first meeting when at least 95 per cent - or 475 out of 500 members - have been endorsed by the EC.

After the meeting last night, election commissioner Sodsri Satayathum said three of the five commissioners had voted against endorsing Jatuporn. She said the EC had to determine if Jatuporn could be considered as having lost his party membership, adding that a subcommittee would further investigate the matter.

She said there was some conflict between the Constitution and the Political Party Act that needed to be settled, without elaborating.

The new House of Representatives is likely to convene next week to elect its Speaker and the prime minister, a source from Pheu Thai Party said yesterday.

Pheu Thai, which won the majority in the July 3 election, has formed a coalition with its top election candidate, Yingluck Shinawatra, likely to become the government head.

Tentative schedules agreed by the Royal Household Bureau call for the opening of the first House session on Monday, election of the House Speaker on Wednesday and election of the prime minister on August 5, according to the source.

Outgoing Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva said he expected a new Cabinet to be formed by next Wednesday and to start performing its duties from August 10.

Election commissioner Somchai Juengprasert said that in his view, Jatuporn and Nattawut Saikua - Pheu Thai MPs-elect who are also red-shirt leaders - should win EC endorsement.

Jatuporn's lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, said he expected his client to be released from remand if the EC endorsed him.

The law prohibits the detention of parliamentarians during a session.

Meanwhile, Democrat MP-elect Prasert called a news conference at the party's headquarters to complain about the EC's decision to call a recount of votes in the Yala constituency.

The EC decision followed a petition by Prasert's rival from the Pheu Thai Party, Sukarno Matha.

Prasert said that while it was not rare for candidates to win by a slim margin, the EC had not also called a vote recount in other constituencies where Demo-crat candidates had lodged similar petitions.

In a related development, Chuwit Kamol, leader of the Rak Thailand Party, which won four House seats in the party-list election process, yesterday called for scrutiny of the EC to ensure transparency.

Chuwit said it appeared that the public expectations of the five commissioners were too high for them to meet.

He added that the election agency had called a new round of voting in only two constituencies, although the July 3 poll had been subject to widespread vote-buying.

-- The Nation 2011-07-28

[Thaddeus]

Chuwit said it appeared that the public expectations of the five commissioners were too high for them to meet.

It is a hard task isn't it, trying to work out if a loud mouthed insurrection seeker is a suitable parliamentary candidate.

Guy Fawkes was born in the wrong century, he would have had a field day here.

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Red Shirt Group Might Take Action After Jatuporn Fails to be Endorsed by EC

Chairman of the red shirt movement Thida Tavornset is set to hold a press conference at 11:30 AM this morning after meeting with red shirt leader Jatuporn Phrompan. Reports suggest that the movement might take action after the Election Commission failed to endorse Jautporn's MP status yesterday evening.

Thida is meeting with Jautporn at the prison this morning before making an official announcement on whether the group will gather to protest the EC's decision.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-28

[hammered]

The Jatuporn case probably needs a clarification by the courts. Whatever is thought of the details of what Jatuporn has done, there is a wider issue here that could open a loophole to use refusal of bail against political oponents, and this case could open that precedent. Obviously Jatuporn like everyone else has to face up to charges brought, but that is a different issue to empowering judges to be able to remove political rights before a case is even heard. The Thai law generally removes political rights after final decision ie after all appeals.

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Pheu Thai Urges EC to Clarify over Endorsement

The Pheu Thai Party is requesting that the Election Commission clarify the reason it denied the endorsement of a red-shirt MP.

Pheu Thai MP Vicharn Meenchainan said that the Eelection Commission, or EC, should clarify why red-shirt core leader Jatuporn Phroman has not been endorsed yet.

He also denied the rumor that PM to-be Yingluck Shinawatra offered him the Public Health Minister post.

He insisted that the Pheu Thai Party's Executive Board would make the final appointment decisions according to appropriateness.

Nevertheless, Vicharn said he is prepared to take the post if offered, as he is acquainted with the position.

Meanwhile, the EC will destroy all of the ballot plates that were used to print ballots in the last election at the Government Lottery Office.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-28

[webfact]

Red shirts to EC: Endorse Jatuporn or we'll sue. EC to reds: If we give in to threat, it will be a suicide. /via@tulsathit

[webfact]

Red shirts threaten to sue EC for failing to endorse Jatuporn

The red-shirt movement Thursday threatened to sue the Election Commission for failing to endorse Pheu Thai MP-elect Jatuporn Promphan, one of its leaders.

Natthawut Saikua, a red-shirt leader and Pheu Thai party-list MP, said the EC had no authority to withhold Jatuporn's endorsement.

Natthawut said the EC should endorse Jatuporn first and then seek a ruling by the Constitution Court's about his qualification.

The EC Wednesday endorsed 94 more MPs but declined to endorse Jatuporn.

Natthawut said if the EC failed to endorse Jatuporn within the 90-day deadline, he would file a suit against the election watchdog alleging it with violating Article 157 of the Criminal Code for alleged nonfeasance.

-- The Nation 2011-07-28

[ToffeEFCpower]

Nattuwat finally got his "stay out of jail" ticket

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RED LEADERS

Red shirts threaten to sue EC for failing to endorse Jatuporn

By The Nation

The redshirt movement Thursday threatened to sue the Election Commission for failing to endorse Pheu Thai MPelect Jatuporn Promphan, one of its leaders.

Natthawut Saikua, a redshirt leader and Pheu Thai partylist MP, said the EC had no authority to withhold Jatuporn's endorsement.

Natthawut said the EC should endorse Jatuporn first and then seek a ruling by the Constitution Court's about his qualification.

The EC Wednesday endorsed 94 more MPs but declined to endorse Jatuporn.

Natthawut said if the EC failed to endorse Jatuporn within the 90day deadline, he would file a suit against the election watchdog for violating Article 157 of the Criminal Code for alleged nonfeasance.

Natthawut was speaking to reporters after he and Thida Thavornset, the caretaker chairwoman of the movement, and other redshirt leaders visited Jatuporn at the Bangkok Remand Prison.

Natthawut and Thida asked redshirt people not to hold any rally at the EC head office to pressure the election watchdog to endorse Jatuporn.

"I would like to ask the redshirt people to refrain from going to the EC head office. They should come to this prison instead," Natthawut said.

Thida said the redshirt people should wait a few days before making any move.

"I think the situation should improve in a few days because I believe there are some legal channels that make it impossible for the EC to refrain from endorsing him," Thida said.

Thida said other redshirt leaders, who have been endorsed, will wait until Saturday before reporting to work as MPs in case the EC did endorse Jatuporn before the 90day deadline.

On Wednesday, election commissioner Sodsri Satayathum said three of the five commissioners had voted against endorsing Jatuporn. She said the EC had to determine if Jatuporn could be considered as having lost his party membership, adding that a subcommittee would further investigate the matter.

-- The Nation 2011-07-28

[webfact]

Yingluck confident EC to give justice to Jatuporn

Prime minister-in-waiting Yingluck Shinawatra Thursday expressed confidence that red-shirt leader and Pheu Thai MP-elect Jatuporn Promphan would receive justice from the Election Commission.

Yingluck was commenting on the EC's delay in endorsing Jatuporn as a party-list MP.

Yingluck said the legal team of the Pheu Thai had already submitted all documents and evidence to the EC and she believed the EC would need a little more time to consider Jatuporn's qualifications.

"I believe the EC will be fair to all," Yingluck said.

-- The Nation 2011-07-28

[noahvail]

^ And if their fairly refuse to endorse him, what will the reaction be from the PTP and the UDD?

[sungod]

^ And if their fairly refuse to endorse him, what will the reaction be from the PTP and the UDD?

Democratic of course

[whybother]

Natthawut Saikua, a redshirt leader and Pheu Thai partylist MP, said the EC had no authority to withhold Jatuporn's endorsement.

Huh? Isn't it their job to endorse or not endorse candidates?

[noahvail]

Natthawut Saikua, a redshirt leader and Pheu Thai partylist MP, said the EC had no authority to withhold Jatuporn's endorsement.

Huh? Isn't it their job to endorse or not endorse candidates?

Consider the source. Truth isn't an impediment to his speech(es).

[siampolee]

Red shirts threaten to sue EC for failing to endorse Jatuporn

Surely that comment should read ?

To recoup the fiscal and property damage loses and to seek redress for the trauma suffered the affected residents and business owners who suffered losses due to the exhortations and hectoring of the Red Shirt demonstrators are threatening to sue Jatuporn and his Red Shirt fellow conspirators.