Democrat Party to seek Thai court annulment of snap polls

[webfact]

Democrat Party to seek court annulment of snap polls
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Feb 3 - The Democrat Party is accumulating evidence to seek a Constitution Court ruling to invalidate yesterday's general election, according to a party executive.

Ong-art Klampaiboon, deputy Democrat leader, said the party will lodge a petition to the court soon through various channels.

He called on the caretaker government to revoke the Emergency Decree which, he claimed, has negatively impacted on tourism, foreigners' confidence in the country and the country's economy.

"The general election is held and it has been proven that people's rallies have not created any violent incidents, or state of emergency. The Emergency Decree is no longer necessary," he said.

Mr Ong-art said Thailand has yet to reach a resolution to the political stalemate now that elections have failed in some Bangkok constituencies and the South.

He said the government insisted on going ahead with the snap poll with an intention to stay in power as long as possible, to claim people's support, and to use the election results to justify its administration in the international community.

He said the Democrat Party, though boycotting the polls, will carry on its political activity on national reform and encourage public participation.

The Constitution Court last week rejected a petition by former Democrat MP Thaworn Senneam to nullify the Emergency Decree, imposed since Jan 22. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-02-03

[fab4]

Well, that's a suprise, I must say.

[ratcatcher]

Well, that's a suprise, I must say.

Indeed it is. Those unpredictable Democrats, what will they think of next?

[Just1Voice]

If you know you can't win by legal, democratic means, you can always try the illegal, undemocratic ways. That seems to work for the Dems pretty well at times.

[fab4]

"Ong-art Klampaiboon, deputy Democrat leader, said the party will lodge a petition to the court soon through various channels.

He called on the caretaker government to revoke the Emergency Decree which, he claimed, has negatively impacted on tourism, foreigners' confidence in the country and the country's economy.

"The general election is held and it has been proven that people's rallies have not created any violent incidents, or state of emergency. The Emergency Decree is no longer necessary," he said."

Is this man serious, has he slept through the last month or so? So it's all down to the Emergency Decree, nothing whatsoever to do with suthep and his increasingly wild proclamations and actions?

[LazyCat]

He must be nuts... its not the emergency decree that impacted tourism and economy , it's the "peaceful' rallies that did it. No one wants to try their "luck" and to to a place with such stuff going on, emergency decree or not. Foreigner confidence as well, whoever wants to invedt and keep their money in a place with questionable tomorrow???? These guys really shoulx learn to take responsibility for their own actions and not blame it all on Taksin.

As for the elections... why on earth it should be invalidated ??? Just because they ignored it ?

He himself said :

"The general election is held and it has been proven that people's rallies have not created any violent incidents"

Yes it Was held and u guys blew it. Also it had proven that people rallies really gave a hard time to those wishing to cast their vote, no violent incidents???? Please.... are we even on the same planet with this guy ??????

[Suriya4]

Dems forgot to add that the acting PM vote incorrectly, and it should be null, and set the election again.

[LazyCat]

I don't understand how anyone would support such loosers.... they really shoud think of a new name for their party coz there ain't nothing of a democracy left in there.

[uty6543]

If you know you can't win by legal, democratic means, you can always try the illegal, undemocratic ways. That seems to work for the Dems pretty well at times.

Of course vote buying and populist policies are a much more democratic way? That seems to work for the PTP pretty well at times.

[toybits]

90% of the country turned up to vote. There cannot be a clearer indication that the PEOPLE disagrees with Mr. Suthep's call to boycott the election. Only think is the Mr. Suthep and the Democrats are blind to this obvious FACT.

[MMarlow]

If you know you can't win by legal, democratic means, you can always try the illegal, undemocratic ways. That seems to work for the Dems pretty well at times.

What is illegal about what they are trying to do?

[LuckyLew]

It is ok, PTP can stay in power all they want, nothing better than a country being run by a convicted felon on the run and who should be charged with crimes against humanity. Oh well ... Thailand will sink lower and lower and go into do much debt thru continued blatant graft and corruption that the floor will fall, and the economy will crash and burn ... good choice Thai people ... now you will have to live with it. I mean heck this sort of dictatorship is working so well for Cambodia and North Korea

[steveromagnino]

90% of the country turned up to vote. There cannot be a clearer indication that the PEOPLE disagrees with Mr. Suthep's call to boycott the election. Only think is the Mr. Suthep and the Democrats are blind to this obvious FACT.

No they didn't. PROVE IT if you think it is true, but most evidence suggests this is wildly incorrect.

This is what we know for now:

- "Thai voters cast ballots across almost 90 percent of the country yesterday" ref Business Week

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-01-31/thai-election-commission-says-blocking-of-ballots-to-hamper-vote

- this is by area (NOT total number of voters)

- " 49 million eligible voters for 375 constituencies" ref. Rueters

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/02/us-thailand-protest-factbox-idUSBREA1100X20140202

(therefore your claim of 90% would mean approximately 44m people voted - which they didn't)

- "Voting was disrupted in 18 percent or 69 of 375 constituencies nationwide, the Election Commission said, affecting 18 of 77 provinces, Reuters reported"

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/02/thailand-protesters-disrupt-general-election-20142263752606651.html

(disrupted means just that)

- "In southern provinces, voter turnout was estimated at 20 to 30 per cent, much lower than previous elections.Voter turnout was a little over 40 per cent in Chai Nat, less than 50 per cent in Phichit, about 50 per cent in Ayutthaya, according to local election officials."

-- The Nation 2014-02-03

Furthermore....

- EC chairman Supachai Somcharoen said about 13 million voters who could not exercise their right to vote made up about 25% of the entire electorate of almost 49 million eligible voters. (note this excludes the number who also chose NOT to vote which was at least a similar number IMHO)

- Bangkok Metropolitan Administration reported unofficial voter turnouts yesterday in Bangkok at 1.14 million people, or 26.18% of a total of 4.36 million eligible voters, compared to voter turnouts of 71.62% in the July 3, 2011 election.

- Voter turnouts nationwide even in the strongholds of Peua Thai were consistently lower than 2011, with a significant number of people electing not to vote - I heard percentages by changwat this morning being between 45 - 60% in the north and north east

- turnout in 2011 was 75% - to achieve 90% would require a major and massive publicity exercise virtually forcing people to vote....which has not happened

So rather than your claim of 90% turnout I would imagine something like 50% possibly lower is the more likely result. I think you might mean 90% of the country were able to vote in some way (already a bit optimistic), but of course, many people chose NOT to vote or participate as occurs in EVERY election.

If you add NO VOTE cast + selecting NO VOTE as a choice in the election, it would seem highly likely that PT have lost their popular mandate even running effectively unopposed (almost all the parties except Chuwit and BJT are already PT allies or so small as to be irrelevant (I do not agree with this approach to counting votes, but some will likely propose this)).

Every party 'claims' to be pro reform - the only question is the HOW and the WHO. As some Thais think that Thai politicians by and large are the most unethical scumbags in Thailand (and that's including the jetski guys in Pattaya, the touts in Patpong and the worst of the BiB and many would put Suthep Chalerm and the Shinawatras close to the top of the skim lists) some are really am unsure whether they should be the ones to lead the reform - however - that's not PT's view - their view is as the majority they should do as they wish without oversight, because the majority support them. Well, it would seem that this may no longer true.

Any view on whether the Dems should have run in the election is now irrelevant. but it would seem impossible for this result to stand - the parties didn't even have manifestos or campaign prior to the election - many MPs even felt the result would be annulled before the election went ahead - is it any wonder that despite the rhetoric, that in a time when participation should be at an all time high (even in provinces with no effect from the protesters) that this is not the case and participation is actually pretty poor?

Edited February 3, 2014 by steveromagnino

[Macrohistory]

90% of the country turned up to vote. There cannot be a clearer indication that the PEOPLE disagrees with Mr. Suthep's call to boycott the election. Only think is the Mr. Suthep and the Democrats are blind to this obvious FACT.

No, you are wrong. 90% of the country did not turn up to vote. Jesus, can't you dimwitted Reds even get your basic facts straight? Go do a little reading and (possibly) you will be to figure out -- 9 or 10 hours later -- why, exactly, you are wrong.

[Thait Spot]

90% of the country turned up to vote. There cannot be a clearer indication that the PEOPLE disagrees with Mr. Suthep's call to boycott the election. Only think is the Mr. Suthep and the Democrats are blind to this obvious FACT.

89% of polling stations were open.

Around 75% of the population are eligible to vote.

Significantly less than that did

Your "fact" has been dissolved

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[whybother]

90% of the country turned up to vote. There cannot be a clearer indication that the PEOPLE disagrees with Mr. Suthep's call to boycott the election. Only think is the Mr. Suthep and the Democrats are blind to this obvious FACT.

90% of the polling booths were open. Some of those polling booths had 20% turn out. That doesn't give a clear indication of much at all.

[JesseFrank]

90% of the country turned up to vote. There cannot be a clearer indication that the PEOPLE disagrees with Mr. Suthep's call to boycott the election. Only think is the Mr. Suthep and the Democrats are blind to this obvious FACT.

So convenient to post pure lies to make a point, isn't it ?

Could you please provide a link where it says that even close to 90% turned up to vote.

This is what I read today

An unusually low voter turnout was reported in many provinces, even in part of the North and Northeast where the ruling Pheu Thai Party has enjoyed popularity.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701592-thailand-election-doubt-over-poll-outcome/

Edited February 3, 2014 by JesseFrank

[whybother]

It would be nice to know why the Democrats think that the election should be annulled.

[icommunity]

Those individuals, groups, parties who boycotted the 2 Feb 2014 election has no legal right to petition for the invalidation of election results.

The election was called, planned nationwide according to the 2007 constitution election law that was amended by DEM led government.

Had anyone petitioned to the court that the election was unconstitutional before the election?

Edited February 3, 2014 by icommunity

[geriatrickid]

It would be nice to know why the Democrats think that the election should be annulled.

Because they just realized that the next House will not include Democrat MPs.

[OMGImInPattaya]

Can the Democrat Party at least have the decency to change their name to something more appropriate like the National Socialist Party or the Falange. I mean, this is what you do when you can't win elections...boycott them or seek to have them annulled.

[whybother]

Those individuals, groups, parties who boycotted the 2 Feb 2014 election has no legal right to petition for the invalidation of election results.

The election was called, planned nationwide according to the 2007 constitution election law that was amended by DEM led government.

Had anyone petitioned to the court that the election was unconstitutional before the election?

Anyone should have the legal right to petition for the invalidation of the election results if they have good reason to show that it was unconstitutional.

[aimbc]

He must be nuts... its not the emergency decree that impacted tourism and economy , it's the "peaceful' rallies that did it. No one wants to try their "luck" and to to a place with such stuff going on, emergency decree or not. Foreigner confidence as well, whoever wants to invedt and keep their money in a place with questionable tomorrow???? These guys really shoulx learn to take responsibility for their own actions and not blame it all on Taksin.

As for the elections... why on earth it should be invalidated ??? Just because they ignored it ?

He himself said :

"The general election is held and it has been proven that people's rallies have not created any violent incidents"

Yes it Was held and u guys blew it. Also it had proven that people rallies really gave a hard time to those wishing to cast their vote, no violent incidents???? Please.... are we even on the same planet with this guy ??????

As I said many times before, if you looked to see what made protester came out in the place, there you will find your answer. It's not the present problem that is the problem, it's always the past. Everyone know well that the YS administration committed crime by illegally amending the constitution. And now, we know that they have defrauded the taxpayers and the farmers. There are a lot more to add, but I am sure everyone on TV are fully aware of it. If you are not, I am sure many on here can clarify it for you, including me.

Let's be real, most of you came from somewhat functioning democracy, with the all things being done by this administration, wouldn't you think they would be out by now? Instead, all of you fell into the trap of an election. It is the election that the YS government is using to hide from their criminal acts and garner sympathy from the international community. As I see here on TV quite clearly, it's very effective.

Straight up!

[Thailand]

I heard they were changing their name to the UBOL party (Ultimate Bunch Of Losers), certainly more appropriate than the one they have now!

[Time Traveller]

It would be nice to know why the Democrats think that the election should be annulled.

It's unfair that losing political parties shouldn't be allowed to govern when they don't get enough votes.

[focus27]

Someone should petition the EC to disband the Democrats. Voting is compulsory in Thailand, therefore telling people not to vote is surely unconstitutional. Just to hear all the arguments.

Sure, they will just reform under a different name - but hopefully a more accurate one.

BTW does the PTP have any constitutional lawyers in their team? Then why are they so incompetent? (rhetorical question)

[icommunity]

Those individuals, groups, parties who boycotted the 2 Feb 2014 election has no legal right to petition for the invalidation of election results.

The election was called, planned nationwide according to the 2007 constitution election law that was amended by DEM led government.

Had anyone petitioned to the court that the election was unconstitutional before the election?

Anyone should have the legal right to petition for the invalidation of the election results if they have good reason to show that it was unconstitutional.

1. The constitutionality of the election is not in question. CC even said the election can be postponed if EC and the Government agreed to postpone it.

2. EC can red card or yellow card a candidate based on the evidence given by involved voter/s and after investigation.

3. The DEM has no right because they boycotted the GE and should be seen as an attempt to sabotage it.

4. More than 50 political parties participated in the GE.

5. 89.2 of the constituencies participated.

Of course, the DEM who boycotted the GE can try petitioning to invalidate election results. However, it should be highlighted and question why

1. Only the DEM dominated constituencies were afected?

2. Had the DEM voiced their disapproval when registration centres and polling stations were blocked by thugs?

These are at least, circumstantial evidence that the DEM is trying to sabotage the election. If found guilty is liable of party being dissolved and its executive could also face a maximum 10 years jail sentence.

Of course, the DEM is always depending on its grandfather/father court/independence agencies for goodies. Their parents had spoiled them and they never grow up.

[Mot Leei]

If you know you can't win by legal, democratic means, you can always try the illegal, undemocratic ways. That seems to work for the Dems pretty well at times.

Of course vote buying and populist policies are a much more democratic way? That seems to work for the PTP pretty well at times.

Err policies that appeal to the majority of the population ARE democracy ... that's kinda how it's SUPPOSED to work ...

... and as for buying people, well how do you think Khun Suthep kept his protesters there for as long as he did ... free food and music/rent-a-thug/rent-a-crowds is still vote buying no matter how you spin it ... spending money to get people to support you is literally vote buying ... campaigning and advertising of your policies is also vote buying, but a type of vote buying that's considered acceptable ... some people literally give you cash to vote for them (Thaksin is neither the first nor last to do this), but most do it indirectly via one scheme or another ... anytime a politician spends money to get your support, they are literally trying to buy your votes. Most countries put a cap on how much money a politician can spend campaigning because otherwise the court has to sit there and try to decide whether or not the vote buying was ethical or not ... it's a minefield of issues that is usually best handled buy accepting a certain percentage is ok ... it's a part of democracy whether you like it or not. Indeed the absolute opposite of this is lobby groups paying politicians cash to support their cause ... again its part of the process. It might not seem right to you but that's how the system works everywhere ... it's ACCEPTABLE .... thuggery to stop people voting is NOT

[Scamper]

The emergency decree turned out to be a complete misnomer, as events on the ground have shown that the administration never used the full resources under it. There was no push from the army, because they would never have complied. The police presence, far from increasing, all but disappeared. The protesters continued to be under grenade attacks. There was no difference in police deterrence from before or after the emergency decree was imposed. The only area the administration went through with zeal was the intimidation of the media and going after businesses that supported the protest movement. Period. The emergency decree was a flop in the very areas of the country that apparently justified its presence. There were no scenes of violence concerning the polls themselves, outside of the continued armed attacks against the protesters. And in the areas where the administration was not pleased with what was happening, the emergency decree remained absolutely inert. So the emergency decree was an absolute fizzle except as an excuse to clamp down on the media - which even there had only moderate success. Article 108 will lead to the nullification of the vote. But as no one expects another poll to take place this this weekend, and as there is no reasonable expectation that the effort to open up the Southern constituencies will be any more successful than they were before, the election push has turned out to be falling of its own weight, without any other monitoring intervention. Pheu Thai needs to adopt a new strategy. And yet, they've decided to do exactly the same thing - simply order more polls. The same strategy - but expecting a different result.

Edited February 3, 2014 by Scamper

[chainarong]

Well what are you going to do Democrats , boycott at every turn and then seek annulment at every step or become democratic pitch in and hammer the PTP, play the hard game , remember the reforms with the Shinawatra PTP will introduce will be just that , PTP way or the highway, more corruption.