Probe launched into invalid ballots

Published on February 9, 2005

Election Commission (EC) chairman Vasana Puemlarp yesterday ordered an investigation into the large number of invalid ballots cast in Bangkok’s Don Muang district in Sunday’s election. As many as one-fourth of the 20,000 ballots cast in the district were invalid.

Earlier, Thai Rak Thai candidate for Don Muang Karun Hosakul was disqualified by the EC after Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University revoked his degree.

The commission chairman said he wanted to know who the culprits were behind the invalid ballots, adding it was an illegal act and a threat to democracy.

During vote counting in Don Muang, Karun’s supporters cheered when election officials announced the ballots were invalid.

One reason given for their large number was that many people had voted for Karun in advance voting before he was disqualified.

After Vasana ordered the investigation, telephone calls flooded the EC’s 1171 hotline.

Callers who misunderstood the order feared that action would be taken against those who voted for Karun.

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