An election official in Bangkok displayed a ballot during vote counting following the general election on May 14. On Monday, the Election Commission (EC) endorsed all 400 constituency MPs-elect and 100 party-list MPs-elect, reserving the right to investigate any potential electoral fraud involving them within a year. EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee informed the newly elected MPs that they could report to the parliament from Tuesday until Saturday.
Although the EC approved the newly elected MPs, it maintained the right to look into any fraud allegations within one year, as allowed by the election law. During this period, the EC could request the Supreme Court to nullify the electoral and candidacy rights of anyone deemed to have engaged in fraudulent activities during the May 14 general election. Since the EC could not wrap up its investigation into these allegations within 60 days after the election or by July 13, it would take additional time to ensure justice in its investigations, according to Sawaeng Boonmee.
When asked about the EC’s stance on allegations that Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader and prime ministerial candidate of the election-winning Move Forward Party, should be banned from the election under the provisions of the Constitution for holding shares in iTV Plc, Mr. Sawaeng said that the inquiry committee of the office of the EC had yet to conclude its investigation in Mr. Pita’s case. The constitution prohibits any shareholder of a media organization from running in a general election.
Regarding the EC’s decision on Mr. Pita before the parliament’s vote for the new prime minister, Mr. Sawaeng maintained that the EC prioritized a thorough consideration of all relevant facts over any political concerns. It was previously reported that there were allegations against 71 MPs-elect in 37 constituencies.
By law, within 15 days of the EC’s endorsement of the new MPs, the parliament must convene to vote for the House speaker, and the process of voting for the new prime minister and the establishment of the new government will follow. As a result, the new parliament is expected to convene by July 3.
According to the endorsed vote results, the Move Forward Party secured the most House seats with 151, followed by the Pheu Thai Party (141), Bhumjaithai (71), Palang Pracharath (40), United Thai Nation (36), Democrat (25), and Chartthaipattana (10).
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