The opposition People’s party has threatened to pursue legal action against the Election Commission (EC) after the agency decided not to seek charges against figures from the ruling Bhumjaithai party in the alleged Senate election collusion case.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, party leader Natthapong Ruengpanyawut said that he views the case as an attempt to control the country’s political system via the Senate.
“The Senate election fraud case is one of the most massive fraud sagas in the history of Thai politics,” Natthapong said.
His remark came as the EC decided today to forward the alleged 2024 Senate election mass collusion case to the Supreme Court. The case names 77 people, 26 of whom are sitting senators.
The petition excludes current premier Anutin Charnvirakul and many Bhumjaithai politicians, however, despite being earlier accused of involvement, citing insufficient evidence.
Natthapong accuses the agency of malfeasance in office, while threatening legal charges, adding that his party will launch a no-confidence debate against the administration.
He also said the decision involves a conflict of interest, given that some of the election commissioners were selected by the accused sitting senators, urging the amendment of the current Constitution to fix the matter.
“This highlights the problems of independent organisations under the 2017 Constitution, which are not free from political interference, but are free from accountability to the public," the opposition leader said.
According to the EC, the submission will be filed with the court within 60 days. The court will order the suspension from duty of the 36 accused senators when it accepts the petition for consideration pending the ruling.
They will be barred from running for office if found guilty.
