EC Defers Decision On Endorsing MP-Elect Jatuporn Until Monday

[webfact]

EC defers decision on endorsing MP-elect Jatuporn until Monday

By The Nation

The Election Commission yesterday resolved to postpone until Monday its decision on whether to endorse Pheu Thai Party MP-elect Jatuporn Prompan.

Jatuporn, one of the 12 red-shirt leaders on Pheu Thai's party list, is being held on remand in connection with last year's unrest and rioting. He is one of four of the 500 MPs-elect who have so far failed to get EC endorsement.

EC deputy secretary-general Puchong Nutrawong told a news conference yesterday at EC headquarters that the election commissioners had agreed that additional information was needed before they could make a decision on Jatuporn's case.

"The EC meeting resolved that there were some issues that require further study. It's because there are a lot of details. The EC will consider this matter again on August 1," Puchong said, adding that "things would be clearer" on that day.

He noted that Monday was still within the 30-day time frame after the July 3 election in which the EC was legally required to endorse MPs.

Puchong also said the EC was unsure whether Jatuporn could still be considered a member of the Pheu Thai Party.

Election commissioner Sodsri Satayathum said separately that the EC would not allow any pressure to influence its decision on Jatuporn's case. "We are not trying to please anyone," she said.

Earlier yesterday, Jatuporn's lawyers and Pheu Thai representatives tried to convince the election commissioners during their meeting that he was still a party member according to the party's regulations.

Winyat Chartmontri, one of Jatuporn's lawyers, said Pheu Thai leader Yongyuth Wichaidit had assigned party secretary-general Jarupong Ruangsuwan to explain to the EC that the party's executive committee had resolved that Jatuporn retained party membership.

The lawyer said he hoped the five election commissioners, who are legal experts, would ensure justice for Jatuporn.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said during the 90-minute meeting that party representatives tried to point out to the EC that Jatuporn was qualified to run as a Pheu Thai candidate and that the EC had endorsed him as a candidate a day before the July 3 election.

The party representatives asked the EC to refer Jatuporn's case to the Constitution Court to rule whether he was qualified to contest the election and become an MP, according to the spokesman.

Prompong was spotted yesterday at the Miracle Grand Hotel along with Sodsri and EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond. They immediately moved away from each other when a group of reporters arrived.

Apichart said he had met with representatives from political parties, including Prompong, to discuss the Political Party Fund over lunch. He denied discussing Jatuporn's case. The Pheu Thai spokesman confirmed the EC chairman's denial.

-- The Nation 2011-07-30

[webfact]

EC delays MP endorsement vote on Red Shirt leader to Monday

BANGKOK, July 30 -- Thailand's Election Commission (EC) resolved to postpone its vote on the parliamentary membership status of Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan to Monday as the five commissioners said they needed more time to consider the investigation undertaken by the EC subcommittee, according to the agency's Deputy Secretary-General Puchong Nutrawong.

Mr Jatuporn, now detained at Bangkok Remand Prison, is the only one among the core leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the Red Shirt movement, who was suspended from receiving an MP status endorsement.

The EC is considering whether Mr Jatuporn has lost his membership in the Pheu Thai Party as he failed to exercise his right to vote on election day on July 3.

Mr Puchong said the subcommittee which was assigned to investigate the issue forwarded the report to the EC after questioning Pheu Thai Party secretary-general Jarupong Ruangsuwan on Mr Jatuporn's party membership status.

However, Mr Puchong said, the EC found that information received from Mr Jarupong was so detailed and that the agency should carefully consider the information before making any decision so that the EC decided to postpone its vote on Mr Jatuporn's MP status endorsement to Monday at 1.30pm.

The date was within the timeframe under the constitution for the EC to endorse MP status at least 95 per cent within 30 days, he said.

The constitution states that at least 95 per cent or 475 of 500 MPs must be endorsed before the House of Representatives can be convened. The new parliament must meet within 30 days of the July 3 election to select a house speaker, and has another 30 days to pick a prime minister. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-07-30

[tragickingdom]

So the day before the elections Jatuporn is considered a member but the day after the elections he is considered a political prisoner who is not a party member. That makes perfectly sense.

[hammered]

According to Suttichai Yoon of the Nation Sodsri has predicted a military coup if the red shirts demonstrate against any EC decision. She previously predicted the election would be cancelled.

[Nickymaster]

"The lawyer said he hoped the five election commissioners, who are legal experts, would ensure justice for Jatuporn"

I hope so too. Real justice is needed for this instigator of violence and hatred.

[OzMick]

So the day before the elections Jatuporn is considered a member but the day after the elections he is considered a political prisoner who is not a party member. That makes perfectly sense.

Why would you consider a person facing justifiable terrorism charges, who then willfully breaks his bail conditions by committing further offences, a political prisoner? The EC cut him some slack and allowed him to run even though he didn't/couldn't vote, accepting his excuse that he was banged up as reasonable.

What they are considering now is whether PTP's own rules offer the same leeway, or whether THEIR OWN rules exclude from membership those who fail to vote. If he is not a member of the party, he can't be elected on the party list. Like the man himself, quite simple really.

Now PTP executives have said that he IS still a party member. "Well they would, wouldn't they?" (Mandy Rice-Davies). Asked for the PTP Party rules, they have dumped a ton of paperwork, IMHO trying to hide the fact that their rule isn't so lenient. Som nom na. Being your typical Thai mercenary terrorist, k. Jatuporn failed to look a little into the future and pull his turtle head in. Instead he ranted, raved and let his fat mouth lead him into a world of trouble. Hopefully he will be hoist on his own petard, and my cup of shadenfreude will overflow once more.

[JohnAllan]

Justice and Jatuporn? An odd couple.

The question is: why, if it was doubtful from the start that he did qualify, let him run at all?

Edited July 30, 2011 by JohnAllan

[cougar52]

Hey, I have an idea, let the Court decide.

[lungmi]

Give him the post of interior minister.

The economics agenda of PTP would not work.

No red riots on the streets. J. has his people under control, or not?

Crazy idea? Yes, the plausibility is low,but it's not excluded.

[animatic]

So the day before the elections Jatuporn is considered a member but the day after the elections he is considered a political prisoner who is not a party member. That makes perfectly sense.

More likely they did a cursory pass and let him run

so that there was less chance of crazy riots on election day.

Now that the rest of the elections are a done deal and the

average voter won't be put out, they are dealing with their problem child case.

Also he had voted in the last election BEFORE this election and so was valid,but once he did NOT voted in this last one, he might no longer be valid. Regardless of the reason he didn't vote. It is known he did NOT

file with the EC for exemption due to being on remand.

He asked the jail and they said no.

Also the week before PT tried to change their rules to fit his situation,

when they found he couldn't get out to vote.

Is that legal? Is that OK less than 90 days before and election?

Edited July 31, 2011 by animatic

[Old Man River]

According to Suttichai Yoon of the Nation Sodsri has predicted a military coup if the red shirts demonstrate against any EC decision. She previously predicted the election would be cancelled.

Sodsri often makes comments which are .... well you know.

Nobody knows what Prayuth will do. I highly doubt there will be an issue if the red shirts demonstrate according to their political right. However, if they pull another one like last year and the PTP cannot control them, then I would agree with Sodsri.

[Crushdepth]

Give him the post of interior minister.

The economics agenda of PTP would not work.

No red riots on the streets. J. has his people under control, or not?

Crazy idea? Yes, the plausibility is low,but it's not excluded.

I think he'd be particularly good as Defence Minister.

[lungmi]

Give him the post of interior minister.

The economics agenda of PTP would not work.

No red riots on the streets. J. has his people under control, or not?

Crazy idea? Yes, the plausibility is low,but it's not excluded.

I think he'd be particularly good as Defence Minister.

Oh no, I'm optimistic with no reasons, but you vote for the worst case. of possibilities.

Now I understand, you are addicted to the culture of irony. Me too.

Beside the Buddha this is my master.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dario_Fo