Poll winners set to answer EC’s questions

Published on February 14, 2005

Six winning candidates from the general election face hearings before the Election Commission (EC) today and tomorrow, and may be disqualified if the commission finds they have broken electoral laws.

EC Secretary-General Ekkachai Warunprapha said yesterday that rulings on each case would be announced immediately if all available evidence could be heard.

“Either red or yellow cards will be shown according to concrete, available evidence,” he said.

Three winners to face the commission today include Thai Rak Thai candidate Ma Pongam (Kanchanaburi), Chat Thai candidate Ratkit Phaliphat and Democrat Vitoon Nambutr (both from Ubon Ratchathani).

Tomorrow, they will be Thai Rak Thai candidates Kusumawatee Sirikomut (Maha Sarakham) and Prasong Buranapong (Nakhon Phanom), and Mahachon candidate Toon Jintavej (Ubon Ratchathani).

Kusumawatee said yesterday she had solid evidence to refute charges that she had broken election laws while making campaign speeches in Maha Sarakham’s constituency five.

“I’m confident there won’t be any problem with my victory,” she said.

Her evidence included the statement of her opponent, police records, her arguments against the accusation, and written witness reports.

Kusumawatee said she would file counter-claims with the EC against her political rival, including allegations of vote buying.

“Instead of me, the EC should be going after my political opponent,” she added.

Meanwhile, Ekkachai said the commission expected to endorse the victories of more than 100 of the remaining candidates by Thursday, as well as endorsing 100 candidates in the party-list system.

He added that along with confirming the accuracy and transparency of vote counting, he would once more double-check all the election figures today.

Attayut Butresribhoom, Thanyaporn Kunakornpaiboonsiri

The Nation

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