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Published on January 12, 2008

Monthien Songprachai and his sister Nanthana, both winning canidates in Chai Nat, were disqualified by the Election Commission (EC) last week for electoral fraud.

The two lodged an appeal on Wednesday with the Council of State seeking to overturn their red cards.

The case of Monthien could have repercussions for the party, because of his executive position. Chart Thai could be dissolved if he is found guilty of electoral fraud.

The People Power and Matchima Thipataya parties also face dissolution. People Power Party deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyaphairat was allegedly involved in buying votes in Chiang Rai. His victory in the general election has not yet been endorsed because his case is still under investigation by the EC.

Matchima Thipataya deputy leader Sunthorn Wilawan was issued a red card, which puts the party at risk of dissolution.

Chart Thai's legal chief Kasem Sorasak-kasem said earlier that the party had asked all candidates not to break the electoral rules. Therefore, any candidates found guilty of wrongdoing should not be linked to the party. He said the party would have prevented any candidate from breaking the rules if it had known about it beforehand.

Former constitution drafter Wutthisarn Tanchai said that a party's dissolution was the duty of election commissioners.

The Nation