The Constitutional Court is set to deliver its verdict in January 24 regarding the political future of the former Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat.
He is accused of holding a stake in a media company, in violation of the election law, when he registered his candidacy in the May general election. The Election Commission (EC) brought the case before the court, seeking to strip Pita of his status as an MP.
Arriving at the court today to give his final testimony, Pita was accompanied by his lawyers and two bags of material evidence.
“I am ready to answer any questions raised by members of the Election Commission (EC) in today’s hearing,” he said.
EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee represented the EC at the hearing.
The court, in its statement issued after the hearing, said that the ruling will be given at 2pm on January 24.
After the hearing, Pita told reporters that he was pleased to have had the chance to tell his side of the story to the court for the first time.
He said he has been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time and is confident that his evidence will clear him of the allegations, adding “I hope that I will receive justice.”
Numerous supporters also showed up to offer him moral support, three of whom were seen holding banners which read “Where is iTV? Want to be shown on iTV,” and “Want EC to broadcast live on iTV.”
Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana filed a complaint with the EC’s Office in May, accusing Pita of being unqualified to contest the election because he held 42,000 shares in iTV, in violation of the Constitution, which bars candidates who hold media shares from running in elections.
The EC found Ruangkrai’s allegation had grounds and took the case to the Constitutional Court, resulting in Pita having his parliamentary status suspended as the court accepted the case for consideration.
