Bangkok: The Secretary-General of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) stated that they have not yet considered the petition to dissolve the People's Party, citing the need to examine the law and the facts. This decision follows criticism directed at the Privy Council by Nattapong Weerasethakul. The Secretary-General affirmed that the Election Commission has fully performed its duties regarding the election ballot case.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Saeng Boonmee, Secretary-General of the ECT, addressed the case of Mr. Nopruj Worachitwutikul, a former leader of the White Pigeon 2006 group. Mr. Nopruj filed a petition with the ECT requesting an investigation and a petition to the Constitutional Court to dissolve the People's Party for criticizing Privy Councilors who attended a meeting of the Disaster Relief Board. Mr. Saeng mentioned that the administrative department has received the petition and will follow procedures to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed. However, it needs to be established whether such criticism constitutes an offense under the law, a process that is currently underway.
Regarding the status of the petition, Mr. Saeng explained that it is intended for the dissolution of the party. The registrar will consider the petition by gathering facts, determining procedures, and setting a timeframe. As the petition was only recently filed, Mr. Saeng indicated that it requires some time for thorough consideration.
When questioned about the need for a new screening subcommittee, given that other cases for the dissolution of the People's Party have already been filed, Mr. Saeng stated that the system for investigating party dissolution cases currently handles approximately 60 cases. The Election Commission will review new cases to determine their suitability for proceeding. If a case has merit, it will be sent to a pre-established fact-finding committee. The committees will consider cases in a rotating manner, which is part of the standard process.
Mr. Saeng also addressed concerns about the People's Party's actions, which some view as "undermining the constitutional monarchy and eroding democracy." He noted that he has not seen the facts firsthand, only media reports of complaints being filed. He emphasized that all political parties are treated normally, with no special considerations.
In addition, Mr. Saeng discussed preparations for the upcoming Bangkok gubernatorial election, Bangkok Metropolitan Council member election, Pattaya mayor election, and Pattaya city council member election. The Election Commission's office is proceeding according to plan, with a focus on preparing polling station officials to minimize errors. In Pattaya, eligible voters will be selected for training, while in Bangkok, the emphasis is on ensuring the effective oversight of polling station committees. Maximizing public participation is also a critical aspect.
Regarding the use of AI to create fake images for campaigning or defaming candidates, Mr. Saeng stated that defamation is illegal regardless of the method. The Election Commission will monitor for any legal violations. He expressed confidence in the candidates but cautioned about unauthorized campaign assistants overstepping boundaries. Digital technology, he noted, is primarily for public dissemination, unlike other illicit activities.