EC probes Bangkok ballot complaints
Challenges have been filed with the Election Commission to results in 10 districts returning Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) members, according to city clerk Nathanon Thavisin.
However, Nathanon said voting for district-council seats was event free. She said complaints had been received after polling closed on Sunday. The Election Commission has started looking into the allegations, which range from ballot-box irregularities to candidate qualifications. The commission's office in Bangkok would conduct inquiries and report the results to the EC. Meanwhile, EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp wanted to endorse the poll results within 10 to 15 days. Thai Rak Thai BMC candidate for Phya Thai district, Kavi Na Lampang, claimed that ballot boxes were not correctly sealed ahead of vote counting. In Din Daeng district, the Thai Rak Thai's Anong Phettat also complained Democrat opponent Apichat Halamchiak failed to meet the candidacy-announcement deadlines. There were also claims of ballot-box irregularities. Nathanon said a recount was being sought in Bang Phlat, where Thai Rak Thai candidate Amarin Simaroj defeated Democrat Taweesak Kamolvej by 76 votes.
Jeerawan Prasomsap The Nation
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