Bangkok: Suthin has raised concerns regarding the Election Commission's role, arguing that its filtering process is allowing unsuitable individuals to enter politics. According to Thai News Agency, Suthin expressed apprehension about the Election Commission's (EC) performance, emphasizing that elections serve as the first hurdle and the EC should function as a filter to screen out unqualified candidates from entering politics. He feared that mismanagement by the EC could exacerbate problems rather than resolve them, stressing the importance of keeping the people as the sole proprietors of power and the national budget.
The House of Representatives meeting, chaired by Ms. Mallika Chiraphanvanich, First Deputy Speaker, included an agenda item to acknowledge the Election Commission's performance report for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Mr. Sutin Klangsaeng, a Pheu Thai Party list MP, participated in the debate, underscoring the critical role of the EC in serving the Thai populace. He argued that the EC's performance has a far-reaching impact on all citizens and the nation itself and urged the commission to maintain its integrity and public acceptance. However, he voiced concerns about the EC's future trajectory in society.
Mr. Sutin highlighted the necessity of electing good individuals to govern and questioned whether the EC had fulfilled its mission to ensure clean elections. He emphasized that a flawed filtering system could result in unsuitable individuals entering the political arena, leading to societal blame. He reiterated that elections are essential for selecting individuals for the political system and must be carefully managed to prevent corrupt individuals from gaining power.
He further expressed unease about the recent Senate election, questioning whether it would resolve the country's challenges or create additional crises. He acknowledged the presence of opposing viewpoints and emphasized the need for time and opportunity to find solutions to prevent further conflict. Mr. Sutin underscored the importance of the Election Commission as the first hurdle and suggested that the court could serve as the next step in addressing these issues.
Suthin concluded by stressing the importance of elections as a peaceful solution to problems, accepted by democratic societies globally. He warned against potential interference in the work of the Election Commission and emphasized that the true benefactors of the EC are the people who fund it through the national budget. He called for a recognition of this debt of gratitude to ensure the smooth functioning of the EC and its ability to uphold the country's stability.