Democrats to name new board today
MANOP THIP-OSOD & MONGKOL BANGPRAPA
Vithoon: `Confident of justice' from the EC |
The Democrat party's deputy leader in the Northeast, Vithoon Nambutr, who is facing an electoral fraud investigation, looks likely to lose his post when the opposition reveals its new line-up today, a party source said yesterday.
The party plans to slash the number of board members from 49 down to 19. Abhisit Vejjajiva will be retained as leader, alongside secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban.
The source said three people - Apirak Kosayodhin, Kobsak Sabhavasu and Niphon Phromphan - would be nominated as Mr Abhisit's deputies.
But many nominees are expected for the posts of regional deputy leaders in the North, the Northeast, the Central region, the South and Bangkok.
It was still not clear who would replace Mr Vithoon, an Ubon Ratchathani MP.
The source said some party members were unhappy with Mr Vithoon's situation and planned to nominate Kraisak Choonhavan, a party-list MP, as his replacement to boost the confidence of party members.
"The Northeast proved to be the toughest election battleground for the Democrats. So far, the party has found no politicians it considers good enough to secure victories in the region," the source said.
The Northeastern region was won convincingly by the People Power party (PPP) in last year's election. Thai Rak Thai swept the region in 2001 and 2005.
The source said some party members were thinking of nominating party deputy secretary-general Korn Chatikavanij for the post of deputy leader representing Bangkok.
The Election Commission (EC) yesterday denied it had already decided to disqualify Mr Vithoon, saying the fraud investigation was ongoing.
If Mr Vithoon is found guilty, the dissolution of the Democrat party would certainly follow, as he is an executive member of the party.
The issue was brought up by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej during his weekly talk show on Sunday.
Mr Samak claimed the opposition party would agree with the government's plan to amend the charter because a Democrat executive in Ubon Ratchathani is about to be disqualified.
He did not mention any name, but it was an obvious reference to Mr Vithoon.
But Election Commissioner Prapun Naigowit said stronger evidence is needed before Mr Vithoon can be disqualified.
After the Dec 23 general election, poll candidates from the PPP filed complaints against Mr Vithoon, accusing him of violating the election law.
The provincial election office launched an inquiry into the case but found the accusations groundless. It then referred the case to the EC, which directed a provincial branch to look for more evidence.
Mr Vithoon said he had already explained himself to the EC and had provided evidence to show that he had not been involved in poll fraud.
"I am innocent and I am confident I will get justice from the EC," he said.
"If I am found guilty, I will quit politics.
"But the prime minister's statement was baseless. Will he take responsibility for any damage that he might have caused?"
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