Poll agency begins giving yellow cards

EC books three PPP candidates

Poll agency begins giving yellow cards

POST REPORTERS

The People Power party's fears came true yesterday when three elected PPP candidates in Nakhon Ratchasima were yellow-carded on suspicion of cheating at the polls on Sunday.

The Election Commission (EC) is expected to announce more candidate punishments within days.

Prasert Chantraruangthong, Linda Cherdchai and Boonlert Krutkhuntod, who won in constituency 3 in the northeastern province, were yellow-carded after they were caught with cash and a list of eligible voters, said election commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham.

The EC is expected to target more PPP election winners, including three in Lampang's constituency 1, one in Buri Ram's constituency 4 and two in Si Sa Ket's constituency 1.

Two Democrat candidates in Nakhon Si Thammarat's constituency 4 are also expected to be punished by the EC.

They will be summoned soon by the election organisers, but it remains unclear if they will receive yellow or red cards.

Yellow-carded candidates can contest by-elections set for Jan 13. But red-carded candidates will be barred _ as will their parties _ from competing.

Election commissioner Somchai Jungprasert said red-card disqualifications will be announced in the next 15 days.

PPP deputy secretary-general Yongyuth Tiyapairat demanded fairness from the EC and said the world community would be surprised if his party, which had won 233 seats, could not form the next government.

Other parties would join a PPP-led coalition unless they were ''forced at gunpoint'' not to, he said.

But Mr Somchai insisted the EC would base its decisions on facts.

The Democrats yesterday challenged the PPP to officially unveil its coalition partners this week and began trying to lure other parties away from its rival.

Believing the PPP was far from forming a new government, Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban called on the PPP to confirm its success.

He said PPP leader Samak Sundaravej and PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee were only ''advertising'' their attempts to form the next government rather than really forging an alliance with other parties.

Trying to woo partners, Mr Suthep said his party would not demand any ministries in particular.

''If the Democrat party has a chance to be the government, it will not hold out for any ministry in particular, especially the Transport Ministry.

''It only wants all parties to accept its people agenda and let Mr Abhisit be prime minister. The party may keep the defence portfolio though,'' he said.

Mr Surapong countered the Democrats, announcing that the PPP will form a government with Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, Matchimathipataya and Pracharaj. The four-party government would have 254 seats.

The leaders of the four parties would hold a press conference on Jan 3, or the day after the poll results are approved by the EC, he said.

Mr Surapong said the Chart Thai and Puea Pandin parties still have time to make their final decisions, but the PPP would go ahead with or without them.

Puea Pandin leader Suvit Khunkitti denied his party had officially discussed forming a coalition government with the PPP and Chart Thai.

However, a Puea Pandin source said Mr Suvit was siding with the PPP, but de facto key figure Surakiart Sathirathai had advised he wait for the disqualification of election cheats.