EC begins probing complaints against winning candidates

Published on February 10, 2005

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday began looking into complaints against candidates who won the highest votes in Sunday’s general election so that official results can be announced on Monday.

EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp said the commissioners met to examine 15 cases against winning candidates.

He said the commission would determine whether evidence against the candidates was convincing enough to disqualify them or call for new elections in their constituencies. He declined to give further details.

However, EC member Charupat Ruangsuwan disclosed that the 15 cases involved candidates of all regions, including Bangkok.

Charupat said official results for the party-list system could be announced today and new voting in problematic constituencies could be called by February 20.

He said the commission was focusing first on complaints against winning candidates in order to expedite the official results.

At the commission’s head office yesterday, several candidates filed complaints against unofficial election winners in their constituencies, accusing them of electoral fraud.

EC secretary-general Ekachai Waroonprapa said that the EC decided to summon winning Thai Rak Thai candidate Kusumawadee Sirikomut of Maha Sarakham to give a statement after rival Chat Thai Party candidate Prayuth Siripanitch filed a complaint accusing her of violating election law.

EC sources said Kusumawadee would probably be disqualified, because Prayuth has videotaped evidence of her allegedly defaming other candidates.

Atthayuth Butrsripoom

The Nation

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