EC may hold meeting tomorrow on poll date
The Election Commission will today discuss whether to call a meeting tomorrow with representatives of political parties to discuss the date for the election, commissioner Prinya Nakchudtree said yesterday.
Supporters of the embattled commissioners, including three outgoing senators, tried to meet them yesterday to offer encouragement, but the commissioners remained virtually secluded. They also avoided the media. EC public relations director Prasert Sutthison said a group of 500 people had asked to meet with the commissioners today to provide moral support, but EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp told them he would be too busy. He asked them to send letters of encouragement via mail or to the fax number 02 613 7433. Roi Et Senator Prakiat Nasimma did manage a brief meeting with Vasana. Afterwards, Prakiat said the 29 outgoing senators who on Monday filed a letter calling for the commissioners to resign had overstepped their authority. "They should not have tried to oust the EC as there are impeachment procedures. Exceeding their authority will damage the Senate's honour," Prakiat said. Outgoing senators Somkuan Jitsaeng, Khon Kaen, and Kriangkrai Phoomlaochaeng, Kalasin, had accompanied him. A Supreme Court judge, speaking on condition of anonymity, said if the three remaining commissioners call a meeting with political party representatives tomorrow it might indicate that they do not intend to resign. The Supreme, Administrative and Constitution courts will meet again this week or early next week to discuss what to do about the election commissioners, he said. The courts have been put in a difficult position because the commissioners have not resigned even though the Constitution Court invalidated the April 2 election, which the EC organised. The courts have no authority to order the commissioners to resign, the judge said. About 60 villagers from Prachin Buri showed up to express support for the commissioners yesterday. EC secretary-general Ekachai Warunprapa received bouquets from them. Vasana allowed some of the villagers, but no reporters, into his office to meet him. Vasana had a blue curtain over the door to his office to prevent cameramen from photographing him.
Atthayuth Butrsripoom, Kesinee Tangkhiew The Nation
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