Somchai Warns EC on Senate Case: 21 Politicians Risk Sec 157
Somchai Srisutthiyakorn warns the Election Commission to carefully handle the Senate collusion case, noting dismissing 21 politicians risks Section 157 charges.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Somchai Srisutthiyakorn warns the Election Commission regarding the Senate collusion case
- Dismissing all 21 politicians risks legal action under Criminal Code Section 157
- Reports that over 100 individuals holding meeting documents are ready to file lawsuits
- Advises that public political gatherings should remain peaceful and lawful
Somchai Srisutthiyakorn has voiced serious concerns regarding the Election Commission's (EC) handling of the Senate selection collusion case, highlighting potential legal repercussions over 21 political figures—including Members of Parliament, ministers, and party executives. This follows a stark divergence between the 26th subcommittee's findings, which concluded all 21 individuals were culpable, and recommendations from the EC secretary-general and the 36th sub-committee to dismiss the complaints entirely.
The former election commissioner noted that while the EC leans heavily toward dismissing the case against these politicians, the agency must exercise extreme diligence. He advised that if any dismissals are made, authorities must thoroughly review individuals with explicit evidence of wrongdoing to ensure public accountability and avoid subsequent legal challenges.
Criminal Code Section 157 penalizes officials for malfeasance or dereliction of duty and often serves as a legal mechanism to hold independent regulatory bodies accountable. Discrepancies between investigative panels and executive decisions create significant legal vulnerabilities, making documentation trails crucial for public officials defending their administrative actions.
Addressing potential legal escalations, Somchai revealed that numerous individuals are already prepared to file formal complaints against the officials, estimating that over 100 people possess copies of the official meeting documents. Furthermore, addressing claims by certain senators that they never sought to hold office, Somchai criticized the 36th subcommittee's interpretation as conflicting with the true intent of the law, warning that the EC and the subcommittee must shoulder full accountability if they adopt this stance.
"There are already many people prepared to file complaints, and I believe those holding the meeting documents exceed 100 people, not just myself."
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Regarding activist Sondhi Limthongkul's plans to organize rallies if the EC adopts the 36th subcommittee's dismissal approach, Somchai stated that public mobilization depends on necessity, though he discourages street protests that risk uncontrollable violence.
Somchai pointed to peaceful demonstrations, such as the scheduled march by iLaw from Lat Phrao to MBK Center, as exemplary models of lawful and peaceful public expression that avoid large-scale sound systems or aggressive confrontation.
Source: Matichon Politics
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