EC denies intent to convene 60 senators over alleged collusion
Rewritten Article:
The Thai Election Commission (EC) has brushed off rumors about summoning around 60 senators to address allegations of collusion in last year's Senate election, dismissing them as baseless. According to the EC chairman, Ittiporn Boonpracong, these reports have only made their way to the news and he hasn't received any official confirmation regarding the summonses.
Behind the scenes, the EC's investigation into these allegations, carried out jointly with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), is still in its preliminary phase. Before any senators can be officially summoned, they must be given an opportunity to defend themselves in front of the 26th Committee. If the senators fail to sufficiently counter the charges, the 26th Committee will submit a report to the EC secretary-general for further review.
Following the secretary-general’s deliberation, a subcommittee will be formed to propose potential actions based on the 26th Committee’s findings. The EC will then make a decision on the matter, taking into consideration the subcommittee's recommendations.
On a separate note, the Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has stated that the ongoing investigation into money laundering during the Senate election is not politically-motivated, highlighting it as part of standard protocol in misconduct cases. This investigation, led by the DSI special cases committee, aims to determine if there were any irregularities in the election, particularly with regards to vote-rigging.
Previously, the Constitutional Court ordered Phumtham to respond to a petition submitted by 92 senators, seeking to remove him and Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong from their respective posts based on allegations of interfering in the Senate election. The petition raised questions about whether these ministers violated the constitution, specifically Section 170, Paragraph 1(4), by involving themselves in the EC's jurisdiction.
As of now, Phumtham claims he hasn't received any further communication from the court regarding the petition. Furthermore, he denies that the investigation is a means for political games between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai.
In summary, both the EC and DSI are actively investigating allegations of collusion and money laundering in the 2024 Thai Senate election. The EC investigation targets around 60 senators of collusion, while the DSI focuses on financial crimes related to the election. This joint investigation reflects a complex political and legal dispute over jurisdiction and the severity of the alleged electoral misconduct and associated crimes.
- Although unconfirmed, the Thai Election Commission (EC) is investigating allegations of collusion involving 60 senators in last year's Senate election, working in collaboration with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).
- If found guilty, the senators will be given an opportunity to defend themselves before the 26th Committee, after which a report will be submitted to the EC secretary-general for review.
- The Deputy Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, has assured the public that the ongoing investigation into money laundering during the Senate election is part of standard protocol and not politically-motivated.
- The investigation into the 2024 Thai Senate election represents a significant political and legal dispute, with the EC focusing on collusion among senators and the DSI on financial crimes related to the election.
