EC Secretary-General Defends Senate Rigging Probe, Dismisses Article 157 Threat
Sawang Boonmee insists the Election Commission follows strict investigative procedures regarding the Senate rigging case, welcoming new evidence while viewing opposition moves as normal duties.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Sawang Boonmee confirms the EC follows Supreme Court guidelines for Senate rigging investigations.
- The EC must verify if new witnesses appearing at opposition forums match those in the existing dossier.
- The EC Secretary-General views the opposition's actions and potential legal threats not as political games, but as duty execution.
On July 26 in Roi Et province, Election Commission (EC) Secretary-General Sawang Boonmee addressed reporters regarding the opposition coalition's second public forum exposing evidence related to the Senate rigging case, which directly mentioned him. Sawang stated that beyond listening to the opposition's revelations, the agency is obligated by duty to proactively seek out facts.
Sawang explained that gathering facts requires thorough verification. While some information presented in public is merely opinion, the EC must examine whether new evidence or statements match the individuals already listed as witnesses in the official legal dossier and verify if their public statements align with their previous testimonies.
Cross-referencing public statements with official dossier testimonies is a critical safeguard in legal and electoral procedures. It ensures that external claims are systematically vetted against established records, maintaining the integrity of the judicial process.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
When reporters pointed out that all witnesses participating in the opposition's forum were former Senate candidates, Sawang reiterated that the focus must remain on the actual facts and how those individuals substantiate their claims during checks.
Addressing whether the plenary EC must incorporate additional verification steps for witness statements matching the dossier, Sawang clarified that the office already operates under established procedures. He cited the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court on July 2, which stipulate that under the inquisitorial system, the EC office must gather sufficient evidence to establish concrete facts for the court's accurate adjudication.
Asked if the opposition's moves are a political game aimed at filing lawsuits against the EC under Section 157 for dereliction of duty, Sawang dismissed the notion. He stated that he does not view it as a political game, but rather as different parties performing their respective duties to achieve the best outcome.
Source: Matichon Politics
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