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Published on January 11, 2008

The Democrat Party has asked a member to withdraw an appeal to the Supreme Court seeking the overturning of the election results.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the complaint was filed without the party's consent. The party did not agree with the action, he said.

Democrat Buri Ram candidate Chaiwat Sinsuwong argues the People Power Party (PPP) is a nominee of the Thai Rak Thai, a banned political organisation.

Therefore, it was not entitled to contest the election. He argues, too, that party leader Samak Sundaravej is a proxy for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a banned politician.

Chaiwat's action contends the Election Commission acted wrongly in holding advance balloting, and is seeking the nullification of those votes.

Thirdly, the action argues that the distribution of video discs featuring Thaksin is an offence.

If the PPP is found in breach of election rules it could be dissolved. The court will start hearing the matter on Tuesday.

In spite of the request from Abhisit and his party, Chaiwat said he would not withdraw his complaints and would wait to see how the court ruled in similar complaints lodged by other parties.

Today, the court will commence hearing a complaint from New Aspiration Party spokesman Sarawut Thongpen arguing that advanced balloting was illegal. He is seeking the votes to be ruled invalid.

A ruling is expected next Wednesday on arguments from Northeast activist Thepphanom Siriwithayarak that the Election Commission mismanaged advance voting.

People Power legal expert Yuenyad Jaisamut said Abhisit made the request because he wanted the PPP to be the only defendant. He did not want to accuse the commission of anything. Otherwise, the commission would defend all the allegations, he said.

If advance election results were revoked, it would hurt Democrats, too, he added.

However, the court is expected to ask the PPP and the commission if they agree to the withdrawal of some allegations. The PPP will likely agree to all the allegations being dropped, he said.

 Abhisit's announcement yesterday over the litigation was his first political announcement since the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana. However, he said he would refrain from "colourful political comment" for a while.

Abhisit said his party was taking a wait-and-see approach before commenting further on the formation of a new government and would not interfere in the negotiations of other parties being sought to bolster a PPP-led coalition.

The election of 40 candidates remains to be endorsed by the commission.

Kesinee Jaikawang,

 Kornchanok Raksaseri

 The Nation