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[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thai Electoral Commission to amend law regarding election crimes

BANGKOK, 29 September 2015 (NNT) - The Election Commission (EC) is set to amend certain clauses of the criminal code that deal with election crimes, in order to make due process more efficient.

A meeting was recently held between the EC and representatives from regional appellate courts, where they discussed how such crimes should be handled by the judiciary.

The meeting reached the consensus that election-related cases should be handled consistently, regardless of whether the charges are civil or criminal. The EC argued that consistent rulings would resolve election-related court hearings faster than deciding case by case.

However, appellate court representatives said the power to issue arrest and search warrants should belong to the courts instead of the EC.

Regarding the role of the EC in the draft charter, EC President Supachai Somcharoen said he needed to see the draft first before making any suggestions. He reiterated that the new constitution should continue to empower the EC to disqualify any candidates it deems corrupt.

Read more: http://thainews.prd.go.th/website_en/news/news_detail/WNPOL5809300010001

[WhizBang]

Do away with parlimentary immunity. Suspend anyone under investigation for a serious offence.

Implement life time bans for those convicted of any offence above a misdemeanor and do not allow anyone with a criminal record to run for a seat.

How's that for a start.

[Srikcir]

How does the EC have the legislative authority to amend certain clauses of the criminal code?

That would be the role of the NLA.

Maybe something was lost in translation.

[BritTim]

Do away with parlimentary immunity. Suspend anyone under investigation for a serious offence.

Implement life time bans for those convicted of any offence above a misdemeanor and do not allow anyone with a criminal record to run for a seat.

How's that for a start.

Given that in Thailand it is easy to get a poor person convicted of a crime and almost impossible to convict someone who is wealthy, your suggestions (while great in theory) would amount simply to a property condition for candidates. It would actually help to perpetuate the current corrupt system.

I wish there was a simple solution, but it is tough.

[englishoak]

current election crime no1 in Thailand seems to be ..... voting.

Edited September 30, 2015 by englishoak