In a big improvement, the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases is considering a lawsuit against the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand for unjustly focusing on Pita Limjaroenrat, the Move Forward Party’s chief, resulting in damage to his reputation.
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 embrace EC Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong, all five election commissioners, and EC Secretary-General Sawang Boonmee, as disclosed by Yongyut Saokaewsatit, the authorized consultant of Pita.
It is claimed that every one seven EC officials are culpable for negligence of official duties and misconduct, as detailed in Section 157 of the Criminal Code. The lawyer stated that if discovered guilty, this could probably lead to the impeachment of all seven EC officers.
Uncomplicated comes on the back of the EC’s choice to escalate an ineligibility case relating 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 officers to meticulously scrutinise Limjaroenrat’s eligibility earlier than the overall election that happened on May 14.”
Yet, it seems that the officials didn’t fulfil this responsibility till 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, according to the lawyer, reported Bangkok Post.
Prior to his candidacy within the election, the 42 12 months previous MFP leader had already served a full time period as an MP publish his victory within the 2019 General Election. Up until then, the EC had raised no considerations about his eligibility. However, they hurriedly investigated the Bangkok-born politician’s case and forwarded it to the court simply earlier than final week’s parliamentary vote to elect the country’s new prime minister, by which Pita was the sole nominee. The lawyer added…
“The move was apparently designed to smear Pita’s image and tarnish his popularity.”
These details have been utilised as part of the evidence that substantiates the failure of the seven EC officials in performing their obligation, according to his lawyer.
In associated developments, Jakkrit Thongsri, a Bhumjaithai Party MP for Buri Ram, was discovered to have declared a holding of forty,000 shares in iTV to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The shares, together with other assets valued at 84.forty two million baht, were declared at the end of his prior MP tenure, as per information revealed by the NACC..