Bangkok: "Itthiphon" has acknowledged that the case of alleged collusion with senators is currently at the level of the Secretary-General of the Election Commission (EC). He clarified that he will not expedite the process and emphasized adherence to established procedures. He also noted that he is not under pressure following the departure of the Bhumjaithai Party from the government and the subsequent call for the investigation committee's accountability.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Ittiporn Boonprakong, Chairman of the Election Commission, provided updates on the progress of the collusion case in the selection of senators. The 26th Investigation Committee has concluded its inquiry and forwarded the case to the Election Commission Office for further consideration. This includes analyzing the Investigation Committee's opinions and gathering insights from the Secretary-General of the Election Commission. Once the Secretary-General expresses his opinion, the matter will be presented to the Subcommittee for Consideration of Problems or Controversies. Several subcommittees will conduct studies and analyses to assist the EC before the final submission to the EC meeting. The investigations' findings will remain confidential, adhering to a specified timeline. The Secretary-General's steps will take 60 days, followed by a maximum of 90 days for the Subcommittee's review. The EC meeting will also have a 90-day limit for its deliberations.
Mr. Itthiphon addressed reports suggesting that as many as 229 individuals might face prosecution. He explained that case files are typically presented in the order received without delving into specifics. He also stated that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) does not have a specific policy for adjudication in such cases, as decisions follow predetermined procedures without interference.
When questioned about the necessity of establishing a special adjudication committee, Mr. Ittiporn noted that historically, such measures were not implemented unless regulations dictated otherwise. He affirmed that current intentions align with following existing regulations.
Regarding concerns from the Bhumjaithai Party about perceived injustices due to similar accusations against multiple individuals, Mr. Itthiphon maintained that the processes in place would be followed without exceptions. He acknowledged that opinions at various levels are open to criticism but assured that the investigation would proceed unchanged.
In response to suggestions that the process might be hastened due to Bhumjaithai's exit from the coalition government, Mr. Itthiphon assured that the EC is following protocol without external pressure.
When asked about the EC's commitment to maintaining political neutrality, Mr. Ittiporn emphasized the duty of each committee member to remain neutral, independent of political party influence. He underscored the importance of adhering to rules and laws in all actions.
Regarding potential legal prohibitions on candidacy, Mr. Itthiphon refrained from commenting, stating the need to review the case files first.
Lastly, when asked about the possibility of reducing investigation time, Mr. Ittiphorn noted that any acceleration would require a strong justification. While some cases might not necessitate immediate decisions, time constraints related to elections could necessitate prompt resolutions to avoid disqualifying candidates. He reiterated that investigation regulations have been diligently followed in the past.
Concerning the Bhumjaithai Party's lawsuit against the 26th Investigation Committee, Mr. Ittiporn noted that opinions from the Investigation Committee and the Secretary-General do not need to be unanimous. During meetings, discussions will be based on individual opinions, and decisions will be made through discretion, potentially resulting in varied outcomes.