Bangkok: "Chulaphan" has called on the Election Commission to review its procedures after discovering several errors in the advance voting process that have affected all parties and impacted Thai society. Meanwhile, "Chusak" has suggested forming a committee to investigate potential violations of Section 157, expressing concerns that such incidents would not occur with professional election officials and could jeopardize the validity of the election.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chulaphan Amornvivat, a Prime Minister candidate and leader of the Pheu Thai Party, addressed the errors identified in the Election Commission's (EC) handling of advance voting, which have raised public concerns about the potential impact on the vote count. He noted that the errors, including incorrect placement of candidate numbers on posters, have affected various political parties, including Pheu Thai. Mr. Chulaphan emphasized that the party has taken legal steps to rectify the issues.
Mr. Julaphan also highlighted concerns about vote buying, describing the situation as serious in several areas. He reaffirmed the Pheu Thai Party's stance against vote buying and called for all parties to engage in fair politics. He urged the Election Commission to take decisive action against misconduct, referencing reports of significant cash withdrawals in small denominations as an issue requiring clarification from the EC.
When questioned about potential underlying motives behind these errors, Mr. Chulaphan refrained from making accusations, stating it was the EC's responsibility to address the issues thoroughly. He also dismissed suggestions that the Pheu Thai Party might be less affected by the errors than other parties, asserting that all political parties, including Pheu Thai, have experienced disruptions, which ultimately impact Thai society.
Regarding calls for the Election Commission to resign due to a perceived lack of experience, Mr. Julaphan advised against resignation at this stage, emphasizing the importance of completing the election process first.
Mr. Chusak Sirinil, Deputy Leader of the Pheu Thai Party, suggested forming a fact-finding committee to investigate the reasons behind the errors, which he deemed unacceptable for a professional EC. He noted that the EC's admission of the errors indicates they were not ordinary mistakes, and a thorough investigation is necessary to understand their nature.
When asked about the potential impact of filing a complaint against the EC on the election, Mr. Chusak stated that it would depend on the discretion of the relevant agencies. He referenced past instances where elections were declared void due to combined issues and irregularities, but emphasized that the current context differs from previous situations.