Poll fraud case revived

POLITICS

The Office of the Attorney-General will meet the National Anti-Corruption Commission to discuss a fresh attempt to press poll fraud charges against former Thai Rak Thai Party deputy leader Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhya and four other individuals.

Both agencies earlier charged Gen Thammarak, Election Commission computer official Amornvit Suwannapha, and three members of the Chart Thai Pattana Party - Chavakan Tosawat, Boonthaweesak Amornsin and Suksant Chaiyathep - with electoral fraud in connection with the April 2, 2006 general election.

Gen Thammarak was accused of hiring the Chart Thai Pattana Party to have EC officials tamper with the poll commission's database so as to enable candidates of the smaller party to "compete" with TRT candidates in the April 2, 2006 election, which was later nullified.

The election was boycotted by the Democrat Party, which allowed the TRT to win easily in many constituencies, as their only competitors were from the Chart Thai Pattana Party.

Having a competitor, TRT was able to overcome an election law requirement that the winner of a constituency with only one contestant must gain at least 20% of eligible votes available in that constituency.

Both agencies filed their cases with the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.

However, the case was dismissed by the court which said it had no authority to try the case, and that the authority rested with the Criminal Court, according to OAG spokesman Thanapit Moonphruek. Mr Thanapit said the OAG and the NACC would meet soon to discuss a new attempt to file the case with the Criminal Court.