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Published on January 23, 2008

 If he is found guilty, his right to vote would still be revoked, two Election Commissioners said yesterday.

Election Commissioners Sumeth Ubanisakorn and Somchai Juengprasert said the EC was aware of Yongyuth's resignation from the party, but it had nothing to do with the case against him.

Somchai, who is responsible for the investigation, said the resignation was according to the law. It would not affect the vote-buying case. If the evidence was strong enough, the EC would submit the case to the Supreme Court.

EC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiygarn said an EC panel led by Suwit Theerapong had looked into the election of Yongyuth as an MP and it had spoken to many witnesses.

The panel was expected to report to the EC about the case next week although it may ask for an extension period, he said.

An EC source, who asked not to be named, said the EC would discuss today whether to let Chart Thai MP candidate Wichit Yordsuwan withdraw the case, as requested.

Somchai said an EC panel investigating whether the PPP is a nominee of banned Thai Rak Thai Party leader Thaksin Shinawatra had asked for a one-month extension for its inquiry.

The deadline was Sunday (January 27) but the panel feared it would not be able to meet the deadline, Somchai said. The case was filed by secretary-general of the People's Network Against Corruption Weera Somkwamkid. Paitoon Netipoh heads the panel.

The case was important so the panel should not hurry despite social pressure, he said.

Attayuth Butrsripoom

 The Nation