Poll: Majority supports trial in absentia of politicians

Poll: Majority supports trial in absentia of politicians

A majority of people agree with the bill on criminal procedures for holders of political positions, allowing the trial in absentia of politicians who are defendants in criminal cases, according to the result of an opinion survey by the National Insitute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.

The poll was carried out July 25-27 on 1,251 people, aged 18 and over, of various levels of education and occupations througout the country.

The bill was passed by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) earlier this month and is pending royal endorsement.

A majority - 69.54% - agree with the bill's provision allowing the trial of politicians in criminal cases in absentia, reasoning that without the defendants' presence, the time granted by the statute of limitations in the cases may expire; 25.58% disagreed, believing that the accused should be given a chance to defend themselves; and the rest were uncertain or had no comment.

Asked whether there should be a statute of limitations for cases involving political office holders, 48.44% said such cases should not have an expiry date to prevent defendants from fleeing the country and returning after the cases have expired; 47.96% said the statute of limitations should apply in politicians' cases, lilke in ordinary criminal cases, to ensure equality and to expedite the judicial process; and the rest were uncertain or had no comment.

Asked whether the bill, if endorsed, should be enforced retroactively, a majority - 66.19% -agreed, saying that leaving a backlog of unsolved cases would damage the country; 26.78% disagreed, reasoning that retroactivity is against the core principle of the law; 2.72% said the matter should be considered case-by-case, depending on severity; and 4.31% were uncertain or had no comment.

A majority of the respondents - 54.20% - believed the bill would help reduce corruption by holders of political positions to a certain extent; 24.70% said it would not be of much help; 13.59% said it would not be of any help because corruption is so deep-rooted in Thai society; and 7.51% were uncertain or had no comment.

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