Bangkok: The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) initiated its meeting to cast votes on the collusion case involving 229 senators, with a decision pending on seven allegations. Police have implemented stringent security measures around the office, anticipating the announcement of the results at 3:00 PM.
According to Thai News Agency, the ECT's meeting commenced at 9:30 AM, with all seven commissioners in attendance to deliberate on the collusion charges against the senators. The Election Commission office has prepared a press conference area on the second floor of the building, featuring two tables and chairs for the speaker and approximately 50 seats for the media. Six large televisions have been set up to facilitate the conference. Attendance is restricted to registered personnel, with each news agency permitted no more than three representatives. Early in the day, individuals wishing to enter the press area were kept outside.
Security around the government center entrance, near the Election Commission office, has been reinforced with barricades. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Division 2 and Thung Song Hong Police Station are present to ensure order.
The case involves 138 current senators, 50 reserve senators and candidates, 21 ministers, MPs, and party executives, as well as 20 members of the party's network. Among the accused are the Prime Minister, ministers from the Bhumjaithai Party, and Mr. Newin Chidchob, president of Buriram United Football Club.
A 26th investigative committee was formed, in collaboration with the Department of Special Investigation, to review the allegations. The committee gathered evidence and conducted interviews with over 700 witnesses, finding sufficient grounds to support the charges. However, the 36th subcommittee, with a 5-2 vote, determined there was no basis for the complaint, recommending dismissal of all charges.
The Election Commission's decision could result in three possible outcomes: indicting all 229 individuals, dismissing all complaints, or indicting only a portion of them.