Undeterred Ec Sets New Election Poll For Oct 29

[Jai Dee]

Undeterred EC sets poll for Oct 29

With the pressure to resign and take responsibility for mishandling the election process intensifying, the election commissioners yesterday boldly proposed a new election date that directly clashed with the courts’ announcement last week against their doing so.

Meanwhile, public pressure for the three remaining commissioners to resign peaked as the Criminal Court of Nakhon Si Thammarat yesterday accepted the malfeasance case against them and a group of senators stepped up calls for their immediate ouster.

Further, former prime minister and Chat Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa, pictured, fiercely rebuked the election commissioners yesterday, squarely blaming them for the current political woes facing the country.

Election Commission (EC) Secretary-General Pol Maj-Gen Ekachai Warunphrapa yesterday announced the fresh poll will be held on October 29.

“The originally proposed [date of] October 22 coincides with Eid-al-Fitr, or the conclusion of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan,” he said. “Since October 22 is a Sunday we had to move it up a week to the new date.”

Ekachai said that while the EC can propose the date, it is up to the Cabinet to decide whether to issue a royal decree calling for a new election based on the EC’s recommendation.

Earlier yesterday, the EC had been toying with the two alternatives of setting a new election date on its own or inviting representatives from political parties for a meeting to discuss the most appropriate date. Ekachai indifferently said that he did not care whether the three former opposition parties joined such a discussion or not.

EC Chairman Wasana Permlarp led commissioners Virachai Naewboonnien, Prinya Nakchudtree and Gen Charupat Ruangsuwan, who quit the EC in the face of public pressure last week, in reporting to the Nakhon Si Thammarat courthouse and acknowledging acceptance of the malfeasance case against them.

Charges against all election commissioners were brought by Prayat Semapat, former municipality chief of Pak Nakhon subdistrict in Muang district, who was removed from his elected position by the EC after a year. He was greeted and presented with flowers by a crowd outside the courthouse.

Meanwhile, Banharn said that the election commissioners must resign for the sake of the country. He also expressed distress and discomfort at the commissioners’ actions that lacked not only legitimacy but clarity as well.

“I want to ask all three commissioners what are they sitting around for?” Banharn asked. “All the existing problems now lie with the EC alone and nowhere else.”

Also, as pledged last week, former Senate Speaker Niphon Visityuthasat handed a letter endorsed by several peers to the election commissioners. The letter demands the commissioners’ immediate resignation and claims that their stubbornness is creating grave problems for the country.

“We will submit our protest letter that has gathered about 30 signatures of former senators to the election commissioners,” Niphon said. “We want them to consider whether they are still suitable to stay on or not.”

The three beleaguered commissioners have defiantly refused to step down despite great public pressure after the country’s top courts annulled the April 2 election following a national address by His Majesty the King last month.

At a meeting last week, boycotted by the parties that abstained from the April 2 general election, the EC had announced October 22 as the new date for a fresh round of voting.

Source: ThaiDay - 23 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Interim senators handed a document as to encourage EC members

Three interim senators have handed a document to encourage the Election Commission (EC) members. They also stated that the 29 acting senators’ decision to sign their names to pressurize the Election Commissioners is deemed inappropriate.

People are still traveling to the EC Office to support the Election Commissioners to carry on with their duties. Meanwhile, three interim senators, namely Mr. Prakiart Nasimma (ประเกียรติ นาสิมมา), the Senator from Roi-ed (ร้อยเอ็ด) Province, Mr. Somkuan Jitsaeng (สมควร จิตแสง), the Senator from Khon Kaen (ขอนแก่น) Province, and Kalasin (กาฬสินธุ์) Senator Kriangkrai Phoomlaochaeng (เกรียงไกร ภูมิเหล่าแจ้ง) province have handed a letter to the EC Chairman Wassana Permlap (วาสนา เพิ่มลาภ).

Referring to the proposal of 29 interim senators which urges the EC members to resign, Mr. Prakiart said it is an inappropriate action and not the duty of the senators. He has encouraged the EC members to continue performing their works.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 May 2006

[ando]

I really think the courts messed up big time with their recommendation that the EC should resign.

Not that I disagree or agree with their opinion, but I don't think it is the role of the courts to put political opinions out in the public arena for debate at a time when they have been entrusted with the task of making some tough decisions to get the country back on track.

I feel pretty sure the courts will have learned their lesson after creating a new political crisis with such a Pusey footing approach. Everyone is looking to the courts to show some balls rather than opinions that will further divide the country. Either they sack the EC or they endorse the EC and get on with business.

As someone more knowledgeable than me recently said to the courts, -- if you cant sort it out, the government shouldn't resign,-- you should! Less opinions and more decisions would be a big help.

[jdinasia]

The courts cannot fire the E.C.

They told them to step down ... they referenced the same speech .... There's too much power,$$, and face involved ... but the PAD will be heard from again I guess.

[Jai Dee]

The interim senate speaker will push for the nomination of 2 new EC members

Interim senate speaker Suchon Chaleekrua (สุชน ชาลีเครือ) will move on with his plan to have the Supreme Court’s general assembly nominate 2 new Election Commission (EC) members.

Mr. Suchon said he will ask the court to use power under Article 138 (3) of the constitution to name 4 candidates for the interim senate to vote 2 of them to the EC. He appointed Surapong Masawisut (สุรพงษ์ มาศะวิสุทธิ์), a legal adviser to the Senate, to the post of Senate Secretariat spokesman yesterday.

The Supreme Court has already made it clear that it will not select EC candidates until the 3 remaining commissioners resign. Mr. Surapong, however, said he has had a legal exit for that problem but declined to elaborate.

Two of the 5 seats on the EC have been vacant by the death of Charan Buranapansri (จรัล บูรณพันธุ์ศรี) and the resignation of Jarupat Ruangsuwan (จารุภัทร เรืองสุวรรณ).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 May 2006

[Plus]

I don't think it is the role of the courts to put political opinions out in the public arena for debate

It's not open for a debate. EC comissioners should resign unconditionally. Courts opinion is unequivocal, though not legally binding on the EC. Eventually the Courts will find a way to fire them if it comes to that, it will just take longer - lawsuits should be filed first, or 50,000 signatures for impeachment drive collected.

Ando, you are the first and so far the only one to think that the problem lies with courts, not with EC itself.

[Jai Dee]

The Democrat Party believes that the govt' stepping forward on the 3BTS routes is for soliciting votes

The Democrat Party believes that the government’s decision to continue the three BTS routes project is to solicit votes as well as to mobilize capital for the new poll.

The Deputy Chief of the Democrat Economic Team, Mr. Kriangsak Charoenwongsak (เกรียงศักดิ์ เจริญวงศ์ศักดิ์), referred to the Cabinet’s resolution to implement the 3 BTS routes that the auction of the project will lead to the corruption problems. He said the auction system is still the same, in which investors can create the investing conditions by themselves.

Besides, he views that the Interim Prime Minister should not be the president of the implementation as this government is only an Interim government. In addition, Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra is still unable to clear his allegations. He also remarked that the government should allow the general public to voice their opinions over this issue.

Nevertheless he said the Democrat Party agrees with the government to continue the project as it will benefit the people.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

The election may be held on October 15

The majority of 22 political parties which met with the Election Commission (EC) yesterday voted to move the election one week forward from October 22 to October 15.

The date was chosen from among several choices which were October 29, November 26, December 17 and January 7, 2007.

The meeting agreed that the royal decree calling the election would be effective on August 24. Registration of party-list candidates would be opened from September 5 to 7 and that of constituency candidates, from September 8 to 12.

Commissioner Parinya Nakchatree (ปริญญา นาคฉัตรีย์) said this was not an EC resolution but the poll agency would forward all information discussed at the meeting to the cabinet for consideration.

The election date tentatively set on October 22 had to be changed as it is during the Ramadan. October 15, however, is still during the Ramadan.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 May 2006

[penzman]

Ah, they can now push the opening of the airport by one more week.

[Jai Dee]

The Democrat Party: EC may not be able to seek immunity from prosecution

Democrat Party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon (องอาจ คล้ามไพบูลย์) doubts the Election Commission can seek immunity from prosecution after the royal decree calling for the election takes effect.

There were reports that the EC might cite Article 148 of the constitution to shield its remaining 3 members against several court trials. Poll commissioners are facing several lawsuits filed against them in connection with the April 2 snap election which was ruled illegitimate by the Constitution Court.

The new election was tentatively set on October 15. Article 148 immunes EC members from arrest, detention and interrogation while the royal decree on the election is in effect.

Mr. Ong-art said he thought Article 148 could protect the EC from police actions only but not from court trials.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Govt urged to discuss the new polling date at the cabinet meeting tomorrow

Chart Thai Party Leader Banharn Silapa-archa (บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา) has urged the government to consider the new polling date at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow so that this issue would be clarified for the MPs who would like to transfer to other political parties.

Regarding the decision of the Election Commission (EC) to set the new election date on the 15th of October, Mr. Banharn said his party agrees with the new polling date and that the government should consider the issue.

He said by designating the polling date earlier, it would affect the transfer of party candidates within 90 days. He admitted that former deputy leader of the Chart Thai Party Chuwit Kamolvisith (ชูวิทย์ กมลวิศิษฎ์) has now returned to the party.

As for the news claiming that former secretary of the Democrat Party Pradit Patharaprasit (ประดิษฐ์ ภัทรประสิทธิ์) will be transferred to the Chart Thai Party, Mr. Banharn said that he had a discussion on this issue with Mr. Pradit ten years ago prior to his entrance to the Democrat Party.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 May 2006

[ando]

I don't think it is the role of the courts to put political opinions out in the public arena for debate

It's not open for a debate. EC comissioners should resign unconditionally. Courts opinion is unequivocal, though not legally binding on the EC. Eventually the Courts will find a way to fire them if it comes to that, it will just take longer - lawsuits should be filed first, or 50,000 signatures for impeachment drive collected.

Ando, you are the first and so far the only one to think that the problem lies with courts, not with EC itself.

If the courts have a way of clearing the slate for fresh elections, be it through getting rid of the old EC or not, I am all in favour of that. What ever it takes within the law to get the country back on track I am in favour of. This is a real crisis for Thailand and its people and its time for some tough but wise decisions.

My objection was to the courts decision not to allow new elections until a new EC was formed (due to the lack of quorum). If they can agree on a fresh election date and sack the current EC later it doesn't bother me. The important thing is that the courts should not stall the countries progress through fresh elections over some power struggle with the current EC.

[Jai Dee]

EC members are confident of proving their innocence in court

Poll commissioner Parinya Nakchatree (ปริญญา นาคฉัตรีย์) is confident he and 2 other members of the Election Commission (EC) can clear themselves in the court from charges of abuse of authority concerning the April 2 election.

Mr. Parinya said the EC members had solid evidence and witnesses to prove their innocence.

Mr. Parinya admitted, however, that if found guilty, they would not be able to continue with their work. But he was not certain if the guilty verdict would have retroactive effect on past decisions made by the EC.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

EC has set June 23 rd as the BMC and District Councils polling date

Election Commission (EC) has set June 23rd to be the date for electing members of Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) and District Councils.

At the EC office today, EC has called in Districts and BMC director-generals to discuss the appropriate date for people to go to the polls. The EC has finally decided to set June 19th-23rd for candidates to register in the election.

The candidates of BMC can register at the office of Thai-Japanese Youth Association, while the candidates of District Councils can apply at District offices.

Each candidates are allowed to use no more than 800,000 baht in soliciting votes.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

A new date has been set for the election.

Continued in this thread.

/Closed.