Election Commission Expands Senate Election Probe, Faces Scrutiny Over Handling of Evidence

The Election Commission (EC) is preparing to review three additional case files concerning alleged collusion in the Senate election, involving the People's Party and iLaw, among others. These complaints were filed around the same time as the case involving 229 individuals associated with the "Blue Group." On September 14, EC Chairman Narong Klanwarin announced that three additional case files remain under investigation by Sub-committee No. 26. These cases involve preparatory meetings for the Senate election held by three groups: the People's Party/Progressive Movement/iLaw group at the provincial and national levels, and an independent Senate candidate group. The investigation into the meetings held at the Jupiter Room, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, has been slow. Preliminary findings indicate that candidates received free catering and venue access, a potential violation of election hospitality laws, despite claims of individual payments. The EC is considering whether to allow the current sub-committee to continue its work or appoint a new one, as the chairman of the 26th inquiry sub-committee is set to retire at the end of September. Meanwhile, Natthaphong Ruangpanyawut, party list MP and leader of the People's Party, highlighted the stance of a dissenting Election Commissioner, Sitthichot Inthrawiset, suggesting that the Senate election fraud scheme is linked to individuals connected to the Bhumjai Thai Party. The People's Party is preparing to file petitions with the National Anti-Corruption Commission and take legal action under Section 157. Natthaphong criticized state authorities for attempting to silence critics through lawsuits rather than demonstrating transparency, asserting that relevant investigative agencies must provide clear answers and handle the matter impartially. The EC had previously stated a 4-3 vote against accepting financial evidence from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in the Senate collusion probe, citing that its internal inquiry subcommittee had not yet finalized its report and no specific money trails were presented. However, minority commissioner Sitthichot Intharawiset publicly disputed this account, revealing he asked the inquiry team to trace funds but was told the resolution blocked them. During a heated session of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the performance reports of the Election Commission (ECT) for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, People's Party list-MP Parit Wacharasindhu told parliament that the Election Commission (EC) ignored "3 elephants in the room" regarding the Senate collusion case: evidence of organized vote-rigging, links to Bhumjai Thai figures, and departures from its own standards. He highlighted coordinated voting patterns across 19 groups, hotel gatherings, and phone logs showing Bhumjai Thai official Rattana Botham making dozens of calls to senators, arguing this points to either party leadership involvement or failure to prevent interference. Parit criticized the EC for referring only 77 individuals—including 26 active senators—despite investigators suggesting action against over 200, alleging that key Bhumjaithai figures, including Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, avoided referral due to votes from blue-bloc-backed commissioners. Consequently, he called on the EC to publicly disclose its decisions, forward all case files to the Supreme Court, pursue remaining evidence, and reopen the investigation if new evidence surfaces. House Speaker Sophon Saram (Bhumjaithai) barred MPs during a House debate from linking Prime Minister and party leader Anutin Charnvirakul to alleged Senate collusion, warning that speakers repeating the claim would be stopped. The directive followed remarks by People's Party MP Parit Wacharasindhu, who questioned why the Election Commission (EC) excluded Bhumjaithai leaders despite referring 77 individuals for legal action and evidence connecting respondents to the party. In response to being blocked, Parit expressed disbelief that the House speaker would openly declare the prime minister uninvolved in the matter. The Election Commission (EC) defended its Senate election oversight before the House, stating that candidate group travel, shared hotel stays, and joint meetings became legal after introductory restrictions were annulled—a court decision the EC chose not to appeal to avoid delaying elections. EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee rejected allegations of neglecting collusion, confirming all evidence from inquiry panels 26 and 36 will be submitted to the Supreme Court, with further cases possible if new connections emerge. Addressing opposition questions regarding why no Bhumjai Thai Party executives were among the 77 indicted individuals despite mention in investigation files—including a leaked Nong Khai hotel recording—officials noted that existing evidence had already been evaluated, while an internal inquiry is underway regarding the leaked documents. Reserve Senate candidates petitioned the Supreme Court on Wednesday to reopen cases against 112 senators cleared by the Election Commission (EC) and order a full review of all 138 originally investigated senators. Led by Pol Lt Gen Kamrop Panyakaew, the group argued that voting lists point to a organized operation rather than isolated misconduct. Source: Thai Enquirer