lonelywombat
May 8th, 2006, 05:17
Court to rule on polls today
Major parties, PAD gear for new elections
POST REPORTERS
The Constitution Court will hand down its much-anticipated verdict on the April 2 snap polls today, with preparations already afoot in some quarters for a new general election. The Thai Rak Thai party is making preparations to hit the campaign trail once again, and the People's Alliance for Democracy is mounting pressure to keep caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from going back on his word not to lead the next government.
The verdict on whether to annul the April 2 general election will be decided by all 14 sitting judges of the court.
Constitution Court judge Pan Chantharapan said the verdict will only take a short time to reach.
All 14 judges will meet and each will read out a written statement. After that, they will vote, with the court verdict decided by a majority.
The verdict will then be announced to the public, before the judges proceed to draft details of the verdict to be distributed to the press.
The court earlier admitted a petition through the Ombudsman seeking to invalidate the April 2 general election on grounds of a rushed election date, re-positioning of the polling booths, alleged bankrolling of small parties by a major party to field candidates in certain constituencies, and a lack of formal reviews of Election Commission resolutions.
''I understand the judges have wrapped up their statements, ready to be presented,'' Mr Pan said. He denied the judges worked under duress.
Mr Pan is one of the majority judges who previously threw out a request by a group of senators for a legal interpretation whether the 73-billion-baht sale of shares in Shin Corp to the Singapore government's investment arm, Temasek, constituted conflict of interest. Mr Thaksin's family founded and held controlling stakes in the telecom giant.
Mr Pan was also among the majority judges who acquitted Mr Thaksin of asset concealment early in his prime ministership.
Another judge, Manit Vithayatem, conceded he was under some pressure, saying his decision will not be swayed by public sentiment. ''If it's right, then it's right. That's all there is to it. How can I act otherwise?'' he said.
Gen Saiyud Kerdpol, chairman of the People's Network for Elections (P-Net) and one of the co-petitioners in the poll legitimacy issue, believed the court would rule to annul the polls, which Thai Rak Thai was the only major party to contest.
He insisted the four election commissioners have no option but to resign if the verdict is to invalidate the poll.
Vorajet Phakheerat, of Thammasat University's law faculty, said an invalidation would likely be based on ''adulterated votes'' as a result of polling booths arranged in a way which robbed voters of their right to secrecy. Another basis could also be that the EC allowed losers in the April 2 polls to stand in other constituencies in the subsequent by-elections.
Thai Rak Thai convened a high-level caucus where faction stalwarts were told not to put away campaign posters from last month's elections. The MPs-elect were specifically instructed not to give media interviews after the verdict is handed down.
Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said the party is prepared to take part in a new general election after boycotting the April 2 polls.
The People's Alliance for Democracy renewed demands for Mr Thaksin to keep his pledge not to take the job of prime minister again.
In an open letter, the alliance, instrumental for Mr Thaksin's current political hiatus, maintained Mr Thaksin is the root of all problems and social division.
Major parties, PAD gear for new elections
POST REPORTERS
The Constitution Court will hand down its much-anticipated verdict on the April 2 snap polls today, with preparations already afoot in some quarters for a new general election. The Thai Rak Thai party is making preparations to hit the campaign trail once again, and the People's Alliance for Democracy is mounting pressure to keep caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from going back on his word not to lead the next government.
The verdict on whether to annul the April 2 general election will be decided by all 14 sitting judges of the court.
Constitution Court judge Pan Chantharapan said the verdict will only take a short time to reach.
All 14 judges will meet and each will read out a written statement. After that, they will vote, with the court verdict decided by a majority.
The verdict will then be announced to the public, before the judges proceed to draft details of the verdict to be distributed to the press.
The court earlier admitted a petition through the Ombudsman seeking to invalidate the April 2 general election on grounds of a rushed election date, re-positioning of the polling booths, alleged bankrolling of small parties by a major party to field candidates in certain constituencies, and a lack of formal reviews of Election Commission resolutions.
''I understand the judges have wrapped up their statements, ready to be presented,'' Mr Pan said. He denied the judges worked under duress.
Mr Pan is one of the majority judges who previously threw out a request by a group of senators for a legal interpretation whether the 73-billion-baht sale of shares in Shin Corp to the Singapore government's investment arm, Temasek, constituted conflict of interest. Mr Thaksin's family founded and held controlling stakes in the telecom giant.
Mr Pan was also among the majority judges who acquitted Mr Thaksin of asset concealment early in his prime ministership.
Another judge, Manit Vithayatem, conceded he was under some pressure, saying his decision will not be swayed by public sentiment. ''If it's right, then it's right. That's all there is to it. How can I act otherwise?'' he said.
Gen Saiyud Kerdpol, chairman of the People's Network for Elections (P-Net) and one of the co-petitioners in the poll legitimacy issue, believed the court would rule to annul the polls, which Thai Rak Thai was the only major party to contest.
He insisted the four election commissioners have no option but to resign if the verdict is to invalidate the poll.
Vorajet Phakheerat, of Thammasat University's law faculty, said an invalidation would likely be based on ''adulterated votes'' as a result of polling booths arranged in a way which robbed voters of their right to secrecy. Another basis could also be that the EC allowed losers in the April 2 polls to stand in other constituencies in the subsequent by-elections.
Thai Rak Thai convened a high-level caucus where faction stalwarts were told not to put away campaign posters from last month's elections. The MPs-elect were specifically instructed not to give media interviews after the verdict is handed down.
Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said the party is prepared to take part in a new general election after boycotting the April 2 polls.
The People's Alliance for Democracy renewed demands for Mr Thaksin to keep his pledge not to take the job of prime minister again.
In an open letter, the alliance, instrumental for Mr Thaksin's current political hiatus, maintained Mr Thaksin is the root of all problems and social division.