In a major development, the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases is considering a lawsuit against the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand for unjustly concentrating on Pita Limjaroenrat, the Move Forward Party’s leader, resulting in damage to his status.
A verdict on whether to formally open the case for listening to is anticipated at 9:30am on August 9. Those implicated in the lawsuit include EC Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong, all five election commissioners, and EC Secretary-General Sawang Boonmee, as disclosed by Yongyut Saokaewsatit, the authorized representative of Pita.
It is claimed that all seven EC officers are culpable for negligence of official duties and misconduct, as detailed in Section 157 of the Criminal Code. Double said that if discovered responsible, this might probably result in the impeachment of all seven EC officials.
This case comes on the again of the EC’s determination to escalate an ineligibility case referring to Pita’s prior holding of 42,000 shares in iTV Plc, to the Constitutional Court. The lawyer said…
“It has been incumbent on these seven EC officials to meticulously scrutinise Limjaroenrat’s eligibility before the final election that took place on May 14.”
Yet, it appears that the officers did not fulfil this duty until a complaint was lodged by political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana. Leekitwattana accused Limjaroenrat of being ineligible to compete within the election on the grounds of his stake in a media company, based on the lawyer, reported Bangkok Post.
Prior to his candidacy in the election, the 42 year previous MFP leader had already served a full time period as an MP post his victory in the 2019 General Election. Up till then, the EC had raised no issues about his eligibility. However, they hurriedly investigated the Bangkok-born politician’s case and forwarded it to the court docket simply earlier than last week’s parliamentary vote to elect the country’s new prime minister, in which Pita was the only real nominee. The lawyer added…
“The move was apparently designed to smear Pita’s picture and tarnish his reputation.”
These facts have been utilised as part of the evidence that substantiates the failure of the seven EC officials in performing their duty, based on his lawyer.
In related developments, Jakkrit Thongsri, a Bhumjaithai Party MP for Buri Ram, was found to have declared a holding of forty,000 shares in iTV to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The shares, together with different property valued at eighty four.42 million baht, have been declared at the end of his prior MP tenure, as per info published by the NACC..