Three Pheu Thai and Future Forward MP candidates have asked the Election Commission to call new elections in two Bangkok constituencies, citing a number of irregularities.
Treerat Sirichantaropas of Pheu Thai and Nittcha Boonlue of FFP, who ran in constituency 13, and Chris Potranandana of FFP for constituency 6 submitted the requests to the EC on Friday, together with alleged proof of irregularities.
The candidates of the Palang Pracharat party (PPRP) won in both constituencies, according to the EC’s unofficial results.
In constituency 6 -- Phayathai and Ratchathewi districts and Chatuchak subdistrict, Pada Vorakanon of PPRP won 27,047 votes, followed by Mr Chris of FFP (21,970 votes).
In constituency 13 -- Bangkapi district and Plabpla subdistrict, Thitipat Chotedechachainan of PPRP led with 27,489 votes, followed Mr Treerat of Pheu Thai (23,912), Ms Nicha of FFP (23,707) and Parit Wacharasindhut of Democrat (17,958).
Mr Treerat said at constituency 13, the number of voters fell short of total ballots, vote counting was done in bad lighting and there were reports of vote-buying at 500 baht each.
Mr Treerat said he, Ms Nicha and Mr Parit had talked about these irregularities but Mr Parit would challenge the results separately in his party’s name.
Ms Nicha added she had led since the vote counting began. “But suddenly, she lagged behind by more than 400 votes, which was highly unlikely. I tried to check the results at the district office twice but have yet to receive clear information. Therefore, I’d like the EC to disclose the vote counts at all polling stations.”
At constituency 6, Mr Chris said the problems involved both management and vote counting.
“Voting was not confidential when a soldier looked over a booth while another was marking a ballot. Some ballots for a candidate were counted twice. There were also people who kept track of the number of voters at some stations. Also unusual is the fact the all eligible voters -- 555 and 524 at polling stations 18 and 21 respectively -- cast the ballots,” Mr Chris said.