Bangkok: Parit Thanarat has openly criticized the Election Commission for neglecting the connection between the Bhumjaithai Party and the group allegedly involved in collusion during the Senate elections. Members of the Bhumjaithai Party staged a protest during the Election Commission's report session, expressing dissatisfaction with the actions taken by the commission. Parit accused the commission of prosecuting only Senators while letting party leaders and the Prime Minister evade punishment, despite clear evidence against them.

According to Thai News Agency, during a meeting of the House of Representatives chaired by Speaker Sophon Saram, the Election Commission's performance report for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 was acknowledged. Parit Wacharasindhu, a party-list MP and deputy leader of the People's Party, debated the commission's decision in the Senate election collusion case, which recommended indictments against only 77 individuals. He pointed out that this number was significantly smaller than recommended by the 26th subcommittee and less than the opinion prepared by the deputy secretary-general of the Election Commission. Of the 77 individuals, 26 were senators, while the rest were key figures from the Bhumjaithai Party, including a minister, MPs, and a party executive committee member.

Mr. Parit highlighted three key issues ignored by the Election Commission. The first issue was the coordinated fraudulent scheme in the Senate election, which the EC chairman tried to downplay. Evidence included a list of 130 names linked to the indicted senators, national voting statistics, and the methods used by the vote-making center. Witnesses confirmed a secret meeting of senators at the Pullman Hotel, supported by phone records indicating the presence of at least 40 senators.

The second issue was the connection to the Bhumjaithai Party. Despite evidence pointing to the party's involvement, no minister or executive committee member was indicted. Among the 77 people indicted, many were associated with the Bhumjaithai Party. Mr. Supachai Jaisamut from the Bhumjaithai Party protested, arguing that the session should focus on the Election Commission's report, while Mr. Parit insisted on the factual nature of his statements, citing connections to the party among the indicted individuals.

Mr. Parit criticized the Election Commission for not indicting party leaders despite evidence such as telephone call records. This led to a protest between Mr. Supachai and MPs from the People's Party. Mr. Parit questioned why experts linked to the Bhumjaithai Party made numerous calls to Senators. The party maintained its non-involvement, but the commission's indictment of individuals connected to the party suggested possible negligence or collusion by party leaders.

Mr. Sophon ruled that discussing the issue was inappropriate, as the Election Commission had already issued a statement clearing Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the party leader, of involvement. Parit raised the third point, criticizing the Election Commission for inconsistent standards compared to previous cases. He called for transparency in the commission's resolutions, disclosure of case files, and investigation into the election fraud, with the possibility of reopening cases if new evidence emerged.

Mr. Parit also questioned the Election Commission's 5:2 vote against indicting Bhumjaithai Party leaders, suggesting bias influenced by political quid pro quo, potentially damaging the commission's credibility and public trust in its independence and fairness.