The Office of the Election Commission has defended the overseas trip by six of its commissioners against criticism that such a visit at this time, when election is just around the corner, may affect the EC’s election preparations.

In a written statement, issued today (Thursday), the EC’s Office said that the visit is in line with the plan to follow up on the preparations and management of elections being held in other countries.

The visit is nothing new and has been done every time there is a general election, claimed the EC’s office, adding that they have been coordinating with the Foreign Ministry and, this time, the ministry invited the election commissioners to inspect preparations abroad.

The EC’s Office maintains that the visit by the commissioners is useful for the development of the management of overseas election and that the timing of the visit, from April 4^th to 24^th, does not affect the EC’s work plan, adding that the six commissioners do not travel altogether, but separately in different routes in groups of 4-5, including staff.

Even though the commissioners are overseas, if there is an emergency requiring their presence, online meetings can still be held, said the statement.

Regarding the complaint about the Pheu Thai party’s election promise to distribute 10,000 baht to every Thai who over 16, claiming that it might be against the law, the EC’s office said that they have acknowledged the case, which is currently under the investigation.