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Published on January 16, 2008

"The disqualification of Sunthorn followed every prescribed step to ensure fairness by allowing the defence to adequately rebut the charges," said council deputy secretary general Atchaporn Charuchinda.

Sunthorn's victory was denied because of incriminating evidence about him paying money in exchange for votes, Atchaporn

said.

After the vote-buying case came to light, an aide to Sunthorn's daughter tried to convince police to drop the charges by arguing that Sunthorn paid less than his rivals, he said, noting that the remarks further implicated him in the offence.

In regard to the three other red cards issued to two Chart Thai Party candidates from Chai Nat and a People Power Party candidate from Udon Thani, the council has scheduled to its review for Friday.

The council is expected to complete the appellate review on every red card before the convening of Parliament on Monday.

In a related development, the Election Commission (EC) yesterday endorsed seven winning candidates in by-elections, four from the People Power Party, two from Puea Pandin and one from Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana.

Three of the four PPP candidates had stood in the December 23 election in Nakhon Ratchasima but their victories were nullified by the EC because of irregularities.

The by-elections were held on Sunday.

The Nation