On June 26, in Nonthaburi, the Election Commission (EC) chairman, Ittiporn Boonpracong, addressed reporters as the Senate election process neared its conclusion. With the election reaching its final stage, political analysts and newly elected senators are urging the EC to officially certify the results for the 200 winners, thus preventing the current appointed Senate from overstaying its welcome. The recommendation is to announce provisional certified results immediately and allow the new senators to assume office while ongoing investigations into potential irregularities continue.
Experts at a forum hosted by the Thai Journalists Association emphasized that the EC still maintains the power to disqualify any candidates found guilty of electoral misconduct or running ineligibly. Time is of the essence for the caretaker Senate to step aside and let the elected senators take over.
“This Senate election system is the most intricate we’ve ever had, yet it has performed the poorest in terms of outcomes,” noted Prof. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, a law lecturer at Thammasat University.
The current election system has led to a disproportionate representation among provinces in the Senate. Prof. Prinya pointed out that Buri Ram, for instance, secured 14 senators, the highest from any province, while several others had none. This disparity is concerning as the Senate plays a crucial role in endorsing key independent organizations.
“We must see if the EC has the courage to announce certified results. A delay might indicate a motive to support the caretaker Senate’s continuation,” he added. Prof. Prinya urged the EC to provide a clear timeline for when the results of the June 26 election would be made official, especially amidst mounting pressure.
On Wednesday, EC chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong justified the postponement, stressing the necessity to address all outstanding issues before finalizing the results. Hidden agendas suggested by voting patterns and questionable candidate qualifications have caused suspicion, yet Prof. Prinya warned against branding all senators-elect as unqualified or dishonest. Such assumptions could taint the election results, potentially leading to their annulment and the need for a new poll.
Prof. Prinya further suggested that waiting until every one of the 200 new senators is thoroughly vetted could take up to six months. He also hinted at an urgent need to amend the constitution to devise a new method for electing senators.
Nantana Nantavaropas, a media professional turned senator-elect, echoed the sentiment for the EC to expedite the announcement of the results and urged the current Senate to refrain from significant actions in the interim. “The outgoing Senate should minimize its role as we await the new Senate,” she emphasized.
Referring to a plan by the caretaker Senate—appointed in 2019 by a military-linked government—to convene on Monday, Ms. Nantana acknowledged the presence of collusion aimed at ensuring certain candidates’ victories. She noted the peculiar trend of prominent candidates losing in the first round while less-known candidates succeeded later.
Corrections and criticisms have emerged over the Bhumjaithai Party-backed candidates dominating the new Senate due to alleged election shortcomings. Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, a former election commissioner and ex-senate candidate, pointed out that the 2017 constitution aimed to remove political influence from the Senate elections, particularly from major parties. However, the results reveal the ambition as somewhat misguided, although it doesn’t necessarily imply a constitutional flaw.
Somchai attributed the election’s issues largely to the EC’s relaxed criteria for candidate verification, which opened the door for certain parties or groups to influence the election by employing proxy candidates.
Another elected senator in the media group, Chaiyong Maneerungsakul, estimated that about 20 of the 200 senators-elect might be found ineligible or involved in electoral fraud. He cautioned against judging elected senators with less impressive academic or professional backgrounds prematurely, urging that all elected senators should be given a chance to prove their worth.
The delay is absolutely unacceptable! The EC should prioritize transparency and fairness.
But isn’t it better to ensure all candidates are properly vetted? Rushing could cause bigger problems.
I understand the need for vetting, but six months is excessive. They must expedite the process.
Six months does seem long. Maybe a middle-ground approach would work?
Transparency can’t be achieved in haste. Due diligence is crucial.
It’s clear the current system is flawed. A constitutional amendment is needed to fix this mess.
Amending the constitution is easier said than done. It requires political will and consensus.
True, but if we don’t start somewhere, we’ll be stuck with these problems forever.
Maybe they’re delaying the results to manipulate them? The whole situation stinks of corruption.
That’s a serious accusation. Any proof to back that up?
In politics, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Disproportionate representation is a huge issue! How can one province have 14 senators and others have none?
It’s definitely a problem. Representation should be more balanced.
But how do we achieve that balance? It’s complex.
The peculiar trends seen in the election results are troubling. Something fishy is going on.
Agree. It’s strange that prominent candidates lost while unknown ones won.
Exactly. It indicates potential manipulation.
The EC cannot delay important processes indefinitely. We need action now!
Any delay beyond reasonable limits only erodes trust in the system.
The caretaker Senate should minimize its role. It’s time for the elected senators to take over.
Agree. Especially when the legitimacy of the current Senate is in question.
Their continued involvement makes the situation even messier.
Maybe the Bhumjaithai Party candidates winning shows a flaw in the EC’s criteria. This needs to be reviewed.
Isn’t it suspicious that 20 out of 200 senators might be ineligible? More reason to check thoroughly.
Yes, but thorough checks shouldn’t mean indefinite delays.
I don’t see why academic or professional background should matter much for senators.
It’s about having qualified individuals making key decisions. A senator’s background matters.
True, but practical experience can be just as valuable.
A new method for electing senators is urgently needed. We can’t have these issues repeat every election.
Is EC Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong really trying to address the issues or just stalling?
Every election comes with its controversies, but this one seems particularly fraught.
I think people are overreacting. There might be genuine reasons for the delay.
Maybe, but the EC should communicate better to avoid unnecessary speculation.
Agreed. Transparency in communication is key.