Bangkok: The President of the Election Commission has sent a stern warning letter to political parties, stressing the importance of strict adherence to legal guidelines in preparation for the upcoming House of Representatives elections. The letter highlights five critical areas: member recruitment, branch establishment, provincial representation, primary voting processes, and campaign policies. The President warned that any negligence could lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment, fines, and the revocation of electoral rights.
Bangkok: The President of the Election Commission has sent a stern warning letter to political parties, stressing the importance of strict adherence to legal guidelines in preparation for the upcoming House of Representatives elections. The letter highlights five critical areas: member recruitment, branch establishment, provincial representation, primary voting processes, and campaign policies. The President warned that any negligence could lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment, fines, and the revocation of electoral rights.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Itthiporn Boonprakong, Chairman of the Election Commission and Political Party Development Fund, has instructed the commission to ensure political parties comply with the 2017 Organic Act on Political Parties. The guidelines cover five key areas, starting with the recruitment of party members. Parties are warned against offering incentives for membership, as such actions could lead to their dissolution. Any false claims regarding membership could result in a three-year imprisonment or a fine of up to 60,000 baht, alongside a potential five-year revocation of voting rights.
The second area of concern is the establishment of party branches and the appointment of provincial representatives. Parties must notify the Registrar within the legally specified timeframe, or face fines up to 50,000 baht and an additional daily fine for continued non-compliance.
The third guideline involves candidate selection for the House of Representatives, requiring parties to conduct comprehensive public hearings among members. Non-compliance could result in imprisonment up to six months and fines up to 10,000 baht. Additionally, any false certification by a party leader could lead to a five-year imprisonment or a fine of 100,000 baht.
In terms of campaign policies, the fourth guideline mandates that parties must outline the budget, benefits, and potential risks of any advertising policies. Failure to comply could result in fines up to 500,000 baht, with additional daily penalties for prolonged violations.
Lastly, the fifth guideline focuses on the control and supervision of party members and executive committees. Any actions leading to unfair elections or legal violations could result in the removal of the entire Executive Committee from office. Affected members are barred from holding political positions for 20 years.
The Election Commission’s objective is to ensure that political parties act within the framework of relevant laws and regulations, thereby strengthening their role as pillars of democracy and serving as a refuge for the people.