BANGKOK, March 21 – Seven complaints involving the March 3 Bangkok gubernatorial election are pending review by the Bangkok Election Commission (EC) as the 30-day deadline is drawing closer.
Bangkok EC chairman Taweesak Tuchinda said Wednesday that the commission already submitted two complaints to the Central EC for its final decision while the seven pending complaints will be discussed by the Central EC soon.
One of the seven complaints, filed by Green Politics Group coordinator Suriyasai Katasila, also a core leader of the Yellow Shirt group, charged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra with abusing her authority by campaigning for Pongsapat Pongcharoen, candidate No 9, during working hours.
She allegedly visited the First Infantry Department and was welcomed by senior army officers during the campaign. The Bangkok EC unanimously agreed to accept Mr Suriyasai’s complaint for consideration.
Another complaint was lodged by Ruangkrai Leekitwatana and Winyat Chartmontri who charged Bangkok candidate Sukhumbhand Paribatra and some Democrat Party executives for slandering rival candidate Pongsapat.
The Bangkok EC chairman promised to speed up the agency’s discussion of the two complaints but would not say if it will be finished by April 2 – the final day of the deadline.
Whether consideration of the complaints is completed within the deadline or not, the Central EC is required to announce its endorsement of the Bangkok gubernatorial election results by April 3, while discussion of the pending complaints can carry on despite the new governor taking office.
Regarding news of his desire to quit the Bangkok EC chairmanship, Pol Lt Gen Taweesak said he merely intended to leave the job but he decided to remain in the position until one of the five commissioners steps into his shoes. He named Supote Paiboon as his successor.
