EC asks prosecutors to help dissolve TRC

EC asks prosecutors to help dissolve TRC

These nine judges will determine the fate of the Thai Raksa Chart Party, with the first formal hearing on Wednesday. (Photos via Constitutional Court)
These nine judges will determine the fate of the Thai Raksa Chart Party, with the first formal hearing on Wednesday. (Photos via Constitutional Court)

The Election Commission (EC) has formally requested prosecutors join it in seeking the dissolution of the Thai Raksa Chart (TRC) Party at the first hearing at the Constitutional Court on Wednesday.

If the court rules to disband the TRC, the proceedings will end.

However, both sides are expected to submit evidence and witness lists for later hearings. That is when the EC claims it will need prosecutors' help in moving forward with the trial.

EC secretary-general Jarungvith Phumma said Tuesday the agency has written to the Office of the Attorney-General requesting it send prosecutors to assist the EC if the trial continues. The prosecutors' role is permissible under Section 93 of the organic law on political parties, he said.

On Feb 14, the court admitted the case related to the party's nomination of Princess Ubolratana as its prime ministerial candidate. The court asked the TRC to submit its defence within seven days of receiving its copy of the EC's complaint.

The recommendation, according to the EC, is based on Section 92(2) of the 2017 organic law on parties, which allows the commission to propose the dissolution of a party if it has obtained enough evidence that the party committed an act deemed hostile to the monarchy.

His Majesty the King's command reaffirmed that members of the royal family are above politics and cannot hold political positions. In its petition, the EC asked the court to ban TRC executives from voting and running in elections for a minimum of 10 years, if not for life.

Also Tuesday, TRC chief strategist Chaturon Chaisang said the party has vowed to do its best to rebut the allegation of it being hostile to the monarchy. Mr Chaturon and party executives led a campaign rally in the Bang Khun Thian district of Bangkok. He insisted the trial does not prevent the party from campaigning.

Meanwhile, Pol Col Jarungvith has swatted away claims by some parties that the EC ran a faulty database, causing an online membership compilation glitch. He said the EC's system was stable and the commission could not be held responsible for membership problems as it was the parties' registrars who compiled the information.

His remarks came after the Ruamjai Thai Party petitioned the EC to dissolve 12 other parties, alleging that they doctored their membership databases.

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