Thai Bar Association Demands EC Prosecute 229 in Senator Election Rigging Case

The Thai Bar Association has issued a statement calling on the Election Commission (EC) to proceed with prosecuting 229 individuals suspected of engaging in fraudulent activities during the senator elections. According to the association, the EC initially decided to prosecute 77 individuals in connection with alleged corrupt practices during the 2023 senator elections. These included 26 senators, 36 eligible voters, and 15 other individuals. However, the Thai Bar Association points out that Investigation Committee No. 26 had previously concluded that approximately 229 people were involved in the alleged fraud. The association cited evidence such as candidate ballots showing a pattern of collective voting, which they claim was conducted according to pre-prepared "instruction sheets." This voting pattern, statistically, suggests a pre-arranged scheme to ensure the election of specific candidates (approximately 138 candidates ranked first to seventh in their respective professional groups). Such actions, the association argues, undermine the fairness and impartiality of the election, constituting fraudulent or collusive acts under Section 62, Paragraph 1 of the 2018 Act on the Acquisition of Senators. The Thai Bar Association is urging the EC to notify and investigate all 229 individuals under Section 62, Paragraph 1 of the Act for charges that have not yet been brought or investigated for these individuals. Evidence presented includes ballots demonstrating the voting pattern dictated by the instruction sheets, records from Investigation Committee No. 26, and the instruction sheets themselves, which are already in the EC's possession. Furthermore, the association encourages candidates who have been disadvantaged by the alleged election fraud to file complaints with the EC, requesting the prosecution of these 229 individuals under Section 62, Paragraph 1. This would enable the EC to petition the Supreme Court to revoke the electoral candidacy or voting rights of those involved. Source: INN News