Candidate seeks gag on EC

Candidate seeks gag on EC
People Power candidate Prasaeng Mongkolsiri yesterday sought a court ordered gag on the Election Commission alleging it had made unfair comments regarding his campaigning in Uthai Thani's constituency 1.

Published on December 18, 2007


The Central Administrative Court is to decide whether the case merits a review.

The litigation is seen as a counter move to the EC's hearing on alleged campaign violations by Prasaeng which could lead to his disqualification.

Prasaeng contends the remarks of five EC members could mislead voters into believing he was about to be "red-carded" and therefore not worth voting for.

He demanded the court order the EC to stop making speculative comments about him; force it to issue a retraction in print and on air confirming the validity of his candidacy; and organise a new round of absentee voting in Uthai Thani because last week's vote might have been tainted by biased remarks.

EC member Sumeth Ubanisakorn said the EC had notified the PPP and Prasaeng to submit rebuttals for violating the ban on the involvement of the 111 banned politicians, including former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in swaying votes.

Prasaeng is charged with being involved in the production and distribution of video CDs containing Thaksin's remarks designed to influence the casting of ballots, he said.

"Prasaeng will be allowed to present his defence to the fullest extent of the law before the EC rules on the case," Sumeth said.

He said the accusations against Prasaeng were filed after the EC found cause to suspect irregularities, hinting it might be the first "red card" for the December 23 election.

The EC is investigating about 10 campaign violation cases and has to complete its reports within 30 days after the balloting, he said.

The Nation