PPP gets three more 'yellows'

PPP gets three more 'yellows'

The Election Commission yesterday issued three more yellow cards to winning candidates of the People Power party (PPP) suspected of vote buying in the Dec 23 general election. The three PPP candidates are Voravat Eua-apinyakul, Niyom Wanthanadisakul and Mrs Phanreuthai Serirak who won in constituency 1 of Phrae province.

Yellow-carded candidates retain the right to stand for re-election.

EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said the EC has until Jan 17 to issue red and yellow cards to candidates suspected of poll fraud.

After that the disputes will be settled by a court of law, he said.

Mr Apichart said he believed the EC could endorse more than 95% of the winning candidates in time to open parliament on Jan 21.

The first parliamentary session must be held within 30 days from the general election. The date is Jan 21, he said.

At least 95% of the 480 MPs, or 456, are needed to convene the first session.