Bangkok: The Election Commission President has announced that the case concerning the dissolution of six political parties remains under the scrutiny of the party registrar.
According to Thai News Agency, the EC Chairman, Mr. Ittiporn Boonprakong, explained that if the party registrar agrees, the case will be forwarded to the Constitutional Court to decide on the potential dissolution. However, he emphasized that a petition concerning a Prime Minister's audio clip will be rejected, as it falls outside the EC's jurisdiction.
Mr. Ittiporn clarified that the request to dissolve six parties, allegedly under the control of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is still pending due to a procedural requirement. The registrar of political parties, Mr. Sa-wang Boonmee, who also serves as the Secretary-General of the Election Commission, is currently examining the case. Should the registrar find no basis for the dissolution, the case will be terminated, and both the petitioner and the EC will be notified. On the other hand, if a breach of Section 92 of the Organic Act is detected, the matter will be escalated to the EC for further consideration and potentially sent to the Constitutional Court.
Mr. Ittiporn mentioned that while discussions with the EC Secretary-General have taken place, the decision-making rests with the party registrar as per legal provisions. The EC Chairman assured that he would not interfere with the registrar's responsibilities, though questions regarding the case's progress have been raised.
Mr. Ittiporn acknowledged the public's interest in the case but stressed the importance of adhering to judicial processes and ensuring fairness to all parties involved. Premature disclosures could lead to misinformation and unnecessary distractions. He urged patience as the commission and the registrar work through the procedures, emphasizing accountability in case of any errors.
Regarding Mr. Ruangkrai Leekitwattana's complaint about an audio clip involving the Thai Prime Minister and the President of the Cambodian Senate, Mr. Ittiporn stated that the issue does not pertain to election law violations. He suggested that the political party in question might have misunderstood the scope of the complaint, which falls under ethical standards and is the responsibility of another agency.
When asked if Mr. Ruangkrai's petition would be dismissed, Mr. Ittiporn confirmed that it would not be considered, as it falls outside the EC's authority.