The Constitutional Court issued an injunction today, relieving Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong of his duty and authority to supervise the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and his service as the vice chairman of the Special Case Board.
The court’s injunction comes as the DSI and the Election Commission (EC) are pressing charges of electoral collusion against dozens of senators.
Summonses were issued by the EC to the first batch of 55 prominent senators, including Deputy Senate Speaker Gen Kriangkrai Srirak, requiring them to report to the EC’s office by next Monday to acknowledge the charges.
The Constitutional Court’s injunction is in response to a petition filed by the Senate Speaker, on behalf of a number of senators, questioning the authorities of Justice Minister Tawee and Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, following their alleged interference in the duty and authority of the EC by using the DSI.
The senators also accuse the two ministers of gross violations of ethical conduct, in accordance with Section 160 (4) of the charter.
The court ruled that there are grounds to believe that Tawee had used the DSI as a tool, with which to interfere with the EC over the investigation into alleged widespread electoral collusion. The court cleared Phumtham of any wrong-doing, because there was insufficient evidence of misconduct.
Meanwhile, Deputy Senate Speaker Gen Kriangkrai Srirak announced today that he will report to the EC’s Office next Monday.
Several summonses, issued by the EC, were attached in fronts of the houses of the implicated senators, provoking outcries by some that the EC was trying to discredit them.
Gen Kriangkrai also dismissed the call by a fellow senator, Nantana Nantavaropas, that the implicated senators should stop performing their duties now, while the investigation by the EC is still ongoing.
The deputy Senate speaker hit back, asking if there is any legal provision which states that they must stop functioning after being charged by the EC. He also dismissed a call by another senator, Premsak Piayura, suggesting that the Senate should cancel the opening of an extraordinary Senate session.
Meanwhile, Pheu Thai MP Chalard Karmchuang, head of the House Anti-Corruption Committee, said today that the panel will discuss the Senate electoral collusion issue tomorrow, after it received complaints from several failed senatorial candidates and Senate reservists.
He said that a number of these complainants are expected to testify to the panel, adding that the deputy director-general of the EC will also attend tomorrow.
