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Published on January 16, 2008

People Power Party deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat yesterday challenged the Election Commission to continue investigating him even though Chart Thai candidate Wichit Yodsuwan has withdrawn his complaint.

Wichit had claimed that Yongyuth committed fraud to sway votes in Chiang Rai as a party-list candidate for Zone 1.

Yongyuth said the EC should continue its probe because he wanted to set the record straight.

"Regardless of whether I'm red- or yellow-carded, I don't want this matter to be grey. I knew about two CDs, but how come there are eight now?

I want to see all the CDs," he said.

The politician said he suspected the video recording had been doctored in a bid to frame him.

EC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiygarn said the commission had ruled to have its inquiry panel, chaired by Suwit Theerapong, decide whether to drop the case, as per the EC's directive number 42.

EC member Sumeth Upanisakorn said yesterday the agency would have to rule on whether a complaint of electoral fraud in Chiang Rai could be withdrawn.

"Normally the court would allow the cancellation of a case involving an individual crime, but not a crime against the state," he said.

Sumeth said the EC would factor in the report on the case from its investigative panel headed by former judge Suwit Theerapong, before drawing any conclusion.

"The probe is almost complete, with only one witness left to give a statement," he said, hinting that the outcome should be ready this week.

Chart Thai candidate Wichit initiated the investigation by complaining that Yongyuth had committed fraud to sway votes in Chiang Rai as a party-list candidate for Zone 1.

A red card against Yongyuth could cause the PPP to be disbanded.

But Wichit abruptly cancelled his complaint on Monday as a goodwill gesture because Chart Thai is about to join the coalition alliance led by People Power.

Chart Thai deputy leader Nikorn Chamnong said the party had no involvement in Wichit's actions to complain and then drop charges against Yongyuth.

"Wichit acted in a personal capacity and was not representing the party's stance."

He denied the party had colluded with the PPP to cover up the electoral fraud in exchange for joining the coalition.

Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said the EC was obliged to complete the investigation into the fraud allegedly involving Yongyuth. An unjustified dropping of charges might make the five EC members liable to a claim of negligence, he said.

"The failure to do the job could cause the EC members to serve time in jail."

Regardless of whether the original complaint remains intact, the investigation had already uncovered sufficient evidence to suspect wrongdoing and the EC must wrap up the case, he said.

Another Democrat, deputy secretary-general Thaworn Senniam, called on the EC to look into Wichit's about-turn.

The Nation