Ballot spoilers
The Songkhla and Trang courts yesterday rejected cases against voters who tore up their ballot papers in the controversial April 2 election, on the grounds that the poll has already been invalidated.
The rulings will set a standard for other similar trials. In Songkhla, public prosecutors sought action against seven people, including Dr Kriengsak Lewchanpattana, who tore up their ballots at the polling station. The Court ruled that as the Constitution Court has already nullified the April election on the grounds that it was unconstitutional, the accused would all be acquitted. Meanwhile in Trang, the court acquitted Thotsaporn Kanchana-amornpat who had been charged with spoiling his ballot. The court acquitted him on the grounds that he had employed his democratic rights when tearing up his ballot, and the Constitution Court had already nullified the April election.
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