Election cases set to begin

The Supreme Court's Election Division is scheduled to hear on March 14 a red-card case against Pheu Thai Party Bangkok MP constituency 12 Karun Hosakul, chairman Chaiyasit Trachutham said yesterday.

The Election Commission red-carded Karun for allegedly defaming Democrat Party MP candidate Thaenkun Jitissara and the Democrat Party during his election campaign on June 3, 2011, at the Bunanant market and at Kosum Ruamjai market on June 12, 2011.

Other election cases the court will hear this year include that against Democrat Si Sa Ket MP candidate Somkiat Traisaranapanya, who is accused of buying votes. The EC has red-carded Somkiat and revoked his election rights for five years. The court has scheduled the first hearing on January 15.

The court will hear a case of buying votes against Pheu Thai Party Surin MP candidate Kollayuth Ruangkanchanaset on February 20.

Chaiyasit said last year the court had heard 18 election cases involving MP and senatorial elections. Three Senators were disqualified - Sak Korsaengruang, Srisuk Rungwisai, and Prajit Rojanapruek, who has also been deprived of election rights for five years.

Two MP candidates also deprived of election rights for five years are: Matubhum Party MP Si Sa Ket candidate Pittaya Bunchaliew, and Bhum Jai Thai Party MP Maha Sarakam candidate Apirat Bannarak.

The court also ordered two re-elections - in Chon Buri's Constituency 2 where Palang Chon Party MP Ukrit Tansawat won the election but has been disqualified; and at Lop Buri's constituency 4 where Bhum Jai Thai Party MP Kiat Luangkachornwit won the election but has been disqualified.