EC's move could lead to dissolution of party

Today's General News - Wednesday December 12, 2007

RACE TO PARLIAMENT

PPP faces criminal action

EC's move could lead to dissolution of party

MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

The Election Commission's decision yesterday to take criminal action against the People Power party (PPP) could lead to the end of the party tipped by pollsters to win the Dec 23 general election.

The EC decided to file a complaint through national police chief Pol Gen Seripisuth Temiyavej, accusing the PPP of forging a signature on a membership application for Puea Pandin deputy leader Sitthichai Kwosurat, EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said.

If found guilty, either party leader Samak Sundaravej or party registrar Saman Lertwongrat will be punished under the criminal code.

However, the severest punishment is possible if the EC can prove that the party, not individual executive members, also acknowledged the alleged forgery.

That would lead to the party's dissolution for violating the Political Party Act, said EC secretary-general Suthiphon Theeveechaiyagarn.

The EC has also set up a committee to find out whether the case involves wrongdoing by individuals or the party.

The embattled PPP is facing two more cases involving allegedly classified documents of the Council for National Security (CNS) and the distribution of controversial VCDs with a recording of a speech by ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The two cases, which could also bring the PPP to its downfall, will be tabled before an EC meeting today.

Mr Sitthichai filed a complaint with the EC against the PPP over the allegedly forged signature. His move came after the Supreme Court on Dec 4 cleared him of a charge of membership of two parties, allowing him to run on the Puea Pandin party list for Zone 4. The EC earlier disqualified Mr Sitthichai for registering as a member of both Puea Pandin and the PPP.

However, Mr Saman was confident in the PPP's defence against the charge, saying it had evidence to prove its innocence. He questioned the motive behind Mr Sitthichai's move to file the complaint with the EC at this time.

The process leading to the potential dissolution of a political party takes time and it if happens, it will be after the election on Dec 23. In the event that the party is ordered dissolved after the polls, its executives who are elected will be disqualified as MPs, according to the election law.

The disqualified seats under the proportional representation system will be left vacant, without the need to call by-elections to seek replacements.

By-elections will be called to elect members to replace disqualified MPs under the constituency system.

PPP member Pol Capt Chalerm Yubamrung shrugged off the threat, saying ''the more talk about the PPP's dissolution, the more votes we'll get''.

Meanwhile, Veera Somkhamkid of the People's Network against Corruption handed in a letter calling on the EC to take action against the PPP for allegedly distributing the VCDs featuring Mr Thaksin. Two VCDs were given as evidence.

Mr Apichart, the EC chairman, said the poll agency will get tough with Prasaeng Mongkolsiri, a PPP candidate for Uthai Thani who insisted on using pictures and recorded voices of Mr Thaksin in his election campaign.

Bangkok Post