Protesters call for prosecution of 229 politicians for 'election fraud' in Thailand
Protesters called for the prosecution of 229 politicians over alleged senate election fraud in Thailand.
The Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw) and the People's Party on Sunday marched 11km through the capital Bangkok ahead of a vote to refer the case to the Supreme Court.
Some 100 rallyists protested along Lat Phrao Road before gathering at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre in the evening.
They carried blue and red flags bearing messages such as ‘229' and ‘#ProsecuteSenators'.
Apart from flags, they carried signs with messages including ‘The EC Must Go to Jail', ‘Indict 229' and ‘Fraudulent Senatorial Election: VOTE FOR SALE!'.
The groups were calling on the Election Commission (EC) to prosecute all 229 suspects over an alleged rigging and collusion case in the 2024 Senate elections.
The results were expected today, though only the total number of accused individuals will be given.
The suspects included Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, 138 incumbent senators, politicians, members of the ruling Bhumjaithai Party executive committee and their affiliates, as well as other individuals on the Senate reserve list and Senate candidates.
Yingcheep Atchanont, iLaw director, called on Thailand's Election Commission to act against those allegedly involved in Senate election collusion and vote-buying.
He said before the march: 'This represents a significant demonstration by the people's sector to remind the EC to perform its duties forthrightly and to refrain from omitting legal action against groups involved in collusion or vote-buying during the recent senatorial election.'
People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said the protest aimed to pressure the EC to hold those allegedly involved in the Senate election collusion accountable.
He added: 'The public cannot simply stand idly by or allow this matter to be swept under the rug without anyone being held accountable. The evidence currently available is sufficient for any reasonable person to believe that the recent Senate selection process was not conducted with integrity.'
Thailand's Election Commission was investigating allegations of vote-rigging and collusion in the 2024 Senate election.
In July, the EC and the Department of Special Investigation concluded that 138 senators had obtained their seats unlawfully and implicated 91 other politicians and associates.
Seven members of the Election Commission of Thailand will meet today to vote on the matter.
After the vote, the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand will compile its opinions and prepare a formal ruling.
