EC 3 to be tried in July
The Criminal Court will begin on July 3 the trial of three Election Commission members accused of malfeasance relating to their alleged failure to promptly investigate the funding of small parties to contest the April 2 election.
The court has released the three defendants on bail of Bt120,000 each. Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thuagsuban initiated the court action, saying the EC acted in favour of the Thai Rak Thai Party by stalling the investigation of the ruling party's alleged bankrolling of small parties. In his original plaintiff writ, Suthep named four defendants: EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp and commissioners Prinya Nakchudtree, Viriachai Naewboonnien and Jaruphat Ruangsuwan. At yesterday's hearing, he sought and received the court's approval to drop Jaruphat from the list of defendants on the grounds that he had resigned from office and was no longer relevant to the case. Suthep opposed the release of the three defendants on bail, on the grounds that they might tamper with evidence. Vasana countered that he and his colleagues had no jurisdiction over the evidence on the bankrolling of small parties. After hearing opposing arguments, the court ruled in favour of the three defendants, with the condition that they refrain from influencing either physical evidence or EC officials who will be material witnesses.
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