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Published on January 2, 2008

The Election Commission did not issue any further red or yellow cards for MP candidates yesterday, while disqualified Buri Ram MP candidates petitioned the EC, to claim they had not had a chance to state their case.

Meanwhile, EC member Somchai Juengprasert, said to be under pressure to issue red and yellow cards, hinted yesterday he would prefer to return to the judiciary.

"I'm more familiar with working as a judge than my current job and I want to return to my old position if the judiciary welcomes me back," he said.

When his four colleagues voted to void the poll results for Buri Ram Constituency 1 last week, his was the only dissenting voice.

Somchai denied any conflicts with his colleagues, but said he just felt uncomfortable working in an incompatible job.

If he left, the EC could still rule on election fraud because the four remaining members constituted a quorum.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a meeting to review reports on campaign violations in Phetchabun and Udon Thani.

EC member Sodsri Satayathum said none of the EC members had lobbied for the role of punishing winning candidates for graft.

When the charter and organic laws were being drafted, the EC argued for the Supreme Court to take over campaign violations but the National Legislative Assembly vetoed the idea, she said.

The EC's review of campaign violations involved other major parties besides the People Power Party, she said, adding that the Phetchabun case was linked to Democrat canvassers.

In the Chiang Rai case, PPP deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat was due to present his defence next Tuesday, she said.

EC deputy secretary-general Phuchong Nutrawong said the commission had summoned the PPP's winning Udon Thani MP candidate Prasop Budsarakham to clarify charges.

Prasop was charged with vote-buying by distributing CDs of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's speech, which he denied. He was also charged with accusing other parties of receiving money from the Council for National Security. Prasop said he did not remember what he said.

The EC then gave Prasop copies of tapes of his rally. It plans to summon him again next Monday. Prasop said he would present written testimony on Monday.

Yesterday, Kasem Wattanatham, Buri Ram provincial election commissioner said he received reports from a well-wisher that some politicians planned to take his life.

He was speaking as he showed photocopies of identification cards and signatures of people in a campaign seeking his demise. He said some of those in the list were not local residents.

Meanwhile, Prakij Poldej, Pornchai Srisuriyanyothin and Rungroj Thongsri - winning PPP candidates in Buri Ram - went to the EC headquarters with party legal adviser Yeunyat Jaisamut.

"The three [candidates] only had a chance to clarify to the provincial election commission. They should have the chance to clarify to the EC to clear the charges. Besides, there were attempts to convince local witnesses to make false accusations," Yeunyat said.

Prakij said the three would also petition the Council of State if the EC unfairly issued red cards.

Rungroj said he suspected a plot to frame the PPP with false evidence.

Attayuth Butrsripoom

 The Nation