Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has not done anything regarding his recent campaign speeches which would warrant election officials issuing a formal warning, Itthiporn Boonpracong, chairman of the Election Commission, said today.
The former prime minister has been campaigning for candidates backed by the Pheu Thai party in the upcoming Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) mayoral elections. During campaign rallies, he is reported to have spoken about the government’s populist policies and what the government plans to do for the people.
Itthiporn said that it is not against the law for Thaksin to talk about government policies, such as the “digital wallet” scheme, while speaking at local politics campaign rallies, as long as he does not make promises to the people.
He also noted that what Thaksin said in his campaign speeches may not relate specifically to local politics, adding, however, that local and national politics are intertwined to a degree.
Citing electricity prices, which Thaksin said the government will try to reduce to 3.70 baht per unit, the EC chairman said are both a national and local issue, because local administrations are responsible for ensuring power supply to local communities.
He concluded by saying that there is not yet a need to issue a warning to the former prime minister about his campaign speeches.
