Chuvit Claims MPs 'Voted For Absent Colleagues'

[webfact]

POLITICS

MPs 'voted for absent colleagues'

The Nation

Outspoken MP Chuwit Kamolvisit claims this photo posted on YouTube shows an unidentified male MP voting with another MP

BANGKOK: -- A new parliamentary scandal broke yesterday as MPs from a large political party were accused of using their colleagues' electronic ID cards to vote during the charter amendment debate.

"It's against the Constitution to vote for another person in Parliament," said Senator Rosana Tositrakul, who represents Bangkok.

She caught one of the MPs putting an extra card into a voting slot behind his seat, she told a press conference at Parliament House.

She showed her iPad with an incriminating photo of the MP, taken from behind.

The chamber was almost deserted during the deliberations but MPs often rushed back to vote, she said.

The same photo was also on her Facebook page, she said.

Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn also said more security cameras should be installed to record any lawmaker voting for others by using their cards.

"It's against the law and the Constitution to vote for others," he said.

Some senators were collecting information about the incident to lodge a complaint with the Constitution Court, he said.

Democrat MP Boonyod Sukthinthai said he would raise the matter at today's meeting of the House committee on parliamentary affairs.

The act was against the floor regulations and code of conduct, he said.

Rak Thailand Party leader Chuwit Kamolvisit, at a separate press conference, showed footage of MPs reaching out to panels in front of other seats to vote.

The MP also displayed a "button" camera he said had been hidden in his suit jacket while he was filming the acts.

Since MPs voted for others, the voting in support of the government's amendment bill might be regarded as unlawful, so he would petition the Constitution Court to rule on this matter.

Prompong Nopparit, spokesman for the ruling Pheu Thai Party, said the new scandal might be aimed at distracting the public from an earlier one involving Democrat MP Nutt Bantadtan, who was photographed looking at an image of a scantily-clad woman on his cellphone.

Nutt defended himself by saying he was just checking his Facebook messages when this picture came up.

-- The Nation 2012-04-25

[pimay11]

I'm sure there will be demands from the ruling PTP for an indepth investigation similar to the racy photo incident as this is strictly prohibited in the constitution. Can't have double standards can we?.

[Ricardo]

Let sleeping MPs lie, we'll help them register their votes, to avoid disturbing them ?

[OzMick]

Best construct a gibbet outside parliament for all those PTP members who wish to hang themselves for breaching parliamentary rules.

[apetley]

Best construct a gibbet outside parliament for all those PTP members who wish to hang themselves for breaching parliamentary rules.

I prefer the old elephant stamping on the head method:-)

[OzMick]

Best construct a gibbet outside parliament for all those PTP members who wish to hang themselves for breaching parliamentary rules.

I prefer the old elephant stamping on the head method:-)

You would think that that might hurt, but elephants have really tough feet.

[MengWan]

^{This constitution is stupid ...}

^{The voting system should be connected "wireless" to Dubaï !}

Edited April 25, 2012 by MengWan

[waza]

^{This constitution is stupid ...}

^{The voting system should be connected "wireless" to Dubaï !}

Its so hard to get good help these days

[animatic]

Well considering the whole PTP and the government are lock-step voting proxies for Thaksin,

then if a PTP MP has the ID card for proxy voting of a fellow MP,

then that is a DOUBLE proxy for Thaksin.

Can't see it as more than a second charge on the first charge of

letting a convicted felon on the run hold sway over the government

and party votes in the Parliament.

The MP is just officially inserting a proxy for Thaksin as a proxy for his MP mate.

You Go Uncle Chewy!

Edited April 25, 2012 by animatic

[OzMick]

Conspiracy theorists might even think that Nutt was a set-up to get the suckers screaming about his trifling transgression before releasing the REAL dirt. What can they say now about their own mates, if not themselves, without appearing a total and utter hypocrite?

Bye Bye-elections might be much more common in the near future.

[jcw]

What is the dude on the left doing with his phone?

[Mosha]

What is the dude on the left doing with his phone?

Receiving instruction from Dubai.

[Valentine]

The photo is a classic & open to all sorts of interpretations. There is another MP further down who looks like he is leaning to the left so he could also be voting for someone else. The MP in the foreground looks like he is taking instructions via his phone on which way to vote. Pure conjecture of course.

[webfact]

Outspoken MP Claims MPs Voted for Absent Colleagues

BANGKOK: -- An outspoken party-list MP from the Love Thailand Party presented a video clip where MPs voted for their absent colleagues and that he is preparing to petition to the Constitution Court on this matter.

Today at the Parliament, outspoken party-list MP Chuwit Kamolvisit, the leader of the Love Thailand Party, has organized a press conference.

Chuwit said that MPs from a large political party have used their colleagues' electronic ID cards to vote for their absent colleagues during the charter amendment debate. He also showed a video clip as an evidence.

Chuwit said that MPs' voting for others in support of the government's amendment bill is regarded as unlawful.

For this reason, he will petition the Constitution Court to rule on this matter.

Meanwhile, the matter will also be forwarded to Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont to set up a committee to assess ethical conducts of MPs and the House of Representatives Committee.

Chuwit also displayed a button camera that had been hidden in his suit jacket while he was filming the acts. He further said that he has four cameras with him hidden inside his button, glasses, pen, and a key chain.

Most of them were purchased from the United Kingdom using taxpayers' money, which was around 50,000 baht.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-25

[waza]

The photo is a classic & open to all sorts of interpretations. There is another MP further down who looks like he is leaning to the left so he could also be voting for someone else. The MP in the foreground looks like he is taking instructions via his phone on which way to vote. Pure conjecture of course.

although this may be the iphone pic, If you read the article you would find there is video showing PTP guys voting for abscent members

Rak Thailand Party leader Chuwit Kamolvisit, at a separate press conference, showed footage of MPs reaching out to panels in front of other seats to vote.

The MP also displayed a "button" camera he said had been hidden in his suit jacket while he was filming the acts.

Edited April 25, 2012 by waza

[Payboy]

Most of them were purchased from the United Kingdom using taxpayers' money, which was around 50,000 baht.

[jonclark]

Perhaps they should start treating MPs like school children and have the House Speaker take a register before every vote. So the total number of votes cast equals the number of bums on seats - just a thought.

Edit - does anyone know what the amendment bill being voted on was?

Edited April 25, 2012 by jonclark

[Heimdallr]

Well, they learn this behavior at school. Why grow up and stop now?

[OzMick]

I wonder what the PM's voting record is like, seeming she is never there. The voting records should be publicly available, might be some red faces if votes can be matched with recorded presence elsewhere.

[Skywalker69]

I wonder what the PM's voting record is like, seeming she is never there. The voting records should be publicly available, might be some red faces if votes can be matched with recorded presence elsewhere.

To her the Parlament is the most terrifying place in the world.

[webfact]

MPs Voting for Absent Colleagues Becomes New Parliamentary Scandal

BANGKOK: -- A new parliamentary scandal broke as a Bangkok senator claimed that MPs have used their colleagues' electronic ID cards to vote for their absent colleagues during the charter amendment debate, a matter far worse than the porn picture scandal or sleeping during the House meeting.

Bangkok Senator Rosana Tositrakul gave an interview with CNN regarding MPs from a large political party using their colleagues' electronic ID cards to vote for their absent colleagues during the charter amendment debate during yesterday's House meeting.

She said that the president of the Parliament has not yet called for an examination. The investigation is expected to take place after the consideration in setting an investigation committee.

Rosana insisted that she did not intend to reprehend anyone but the room was almost empty during the deliberations and MPs often rushed back to vote.

She further said that voting for others is against the Constitution, and this is a case far more serious than the porn picture scandal or sleeping during the House meeting.

This matter involves corruption and it has an impact on decisions regarding the constitutional amendment.

The matter will be forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission Office or the Constitution Court for investigation, along with evidence from outspoken party-list MP Chuwit Kamolvisit, the leader of the Love Thailand Party, who also caught MPs voting for others.

Rosana said MPs that are found guilty must be dislodged from the Parliament since the matter is serious.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-25

[webfact]

House ethics committee to look into voting scandal

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont on Thursday said a hearing would be convened to look into the scandal which a number of coalition MPs had asked their colleagues to cast electronic vote on their behalf although they were not actually in the chamber during the voting session.

To cast vote, MPs have to insert an official identification card into a balloting slot. The scandal broke after certain senators and MPs cried foul that some Pheu Thai MPs were not present but could vote by surrendering their IDs.

Somsak said he doubted if the scandal would void the vote on the charter amendment bill, arguing the majority support for the bill should outpace a few invalid ballots.

He said the opposition had the right to petition the Constitution Court for a judicial review on the issue but he did not think the court battle would alter the passage of the bill.

The second reading of the bill is in progress for eight days, he said, revealing that the debate will adjourn for the weekend and resume on Monday.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said all sides should check the facts before drawing a conclusion on the scandal.

If MPs unwittingly made a mistake, they should be cautioned, Yingluck said, adding in case of a clear violation of House rules, the Pheu Thai Party will punish them.

Pheu Thai MP Samart Kaewmechai said penalties for violating House rules ranged from caution to denying the nomination for reelection bid.

Pheu Thai MP Jirayu Huangsub said he was willing to submit his resignation if the scandal proved true.

The voting scandal was a fabricated story because Pheu Thai MPs involved in surrendering their IDs, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-04-25

[whybother]

What they need is finger print or retina scans to ensure the person is present to vote.

At least then there will only be a limited number of times they can hand something over for someone else to vote for them.

[waza]

Commiting voting fraud and you will be cautioned. But look at a hot lady on your phone and you should commit suicide.

[OzMick]

Interesting.

Somsak throws in a red herring - the vote should be OK.

Yingkluk says they are naughty boys and PTP will punish them (right)

Samart talks about house rules with their light punishment, decided by whom?

Constitution Court - no, no, no. We are going to abolish that.

[pimay11]

Interesting.

Somsak throws in a red herring - the vote should be OK.

Yingkluk says they are naughty boys and PTP will punish them (right)

Samart talks about house rules with their light punishment, decided by whom?

Constitution Court - no, no, no. We are going to abolish that.

Just like kids on a playground playing games. Make up the rules as you go that suits you best.

[Bagwan]

House ethics committee to look into voting scandal

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont on Thursday said a hearing would be convened to look into the scandal which a number of coalition MPs had asked their colleagues to cast electronic vote on their behalf although they were not actually in the chamber during the voting session.

To cast vote, MPs have to insert an official identification card into a balloting slot. The scandal broke after certain senators and MPs cried foul that some Pheu Thai MPs were not present but could vote by surrendering their IDs.

Somsak said he doubted if the scandal would void the vote on the charter amendment bill, arguing the majority support for the bill should outpace a few invalid ballots.

He said the opposition had the right to petition the Constitution Court for a judicial review on the issue but he did not think the court battle would alter the passage of the bill.

The second reading of the bill is in progress for eight days, he said, revealing that the debate will adjourn for the weekend and resume on Monday.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said all sides should check the facts before drawing a conclusion on the scandal.

If MPs unwittingly made a mistake, they should be cautioned, Yingluck said, adding in case of a clear violation of House rules, the Pheu Thai Party will punish them.

Pheu Thai MP Samart Kaewmechai said penalties for violating House rules ranged from caution to denying the nomination for reelection bid.

Pheu Thai MP Jirayu Huangsub said he was willing to submit his resignation if the scandal proved true.

The voting scandal was a fabricated story because Pheu Thai MPs involved in surrendering their IDs, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-04-25

Unwittingly make a mistake? 55555555555555 It was all a misunderstanding? It must be hell for PTP politicians to stay at hotels that use pass cards to gain entry to a room. I assume that breakfast will be served before they gain access to their accomodation. I wonder if any of them can manage to use an ATM.

If these charges have any substance then the Courts should decide what penalties to extract NOT the PTP. To coin a phrase, the Thai Parliament is a House of Cards.

This affair is a accurate indicator of the honesty of the Peoples representatives.

Edited April 25, 2012 by Bagwan

[daninthai]

"unidentified MP"??? Why can't the reporter / newspaper do some reporting / investigating and find out who is in the photo / video voting for absent members? Why not name these cheating scumbags and shame them into honesty.

[sparebox2]

From where Chuwit is seated, his button camera can only take photo of the opposition MP.

[Payboy]

From where Chuwit is seated, his button camera can only take photo of the opposition MP.

He hasn't got it on his belly button, has he now?