The Constitutional Court said today that it has accepted for consideration an application seeking the dissolution of the opposition Move Forward party.

The complaint and application were filed by the Election Commission (EC) after the same court ruled unanimously in January that the party and its then leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, were guilty of exercising their rights and liberties to overthrow the Constitutional Monarchy, through their proposed amendment of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lèse majesté law, and continuous campaigning for the amendment bill.

Move Forward has 15 days to submit its defence.

In its complaint filed to the court, the EC found sufficient evidence to believe that the party has attempted to overthrow Constitutional Monarchy, in accordance with Political Parties Act.

Commenting on the Election Commission’s decision to ask the court to dissolve the party, Move Forward spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu told the media that the party and its legal team have been preparing for this moment.

He asked the media not to jump to the conclusion that the party will be dissolved, saying that their legal team will defend the party and prove its innocence.

The issue at stake, he said, is not just the fate of the party, but also to setting of a precedent for Thai politics in the future.