BANGKOK, Feb 13 (TNA) – The Election Commission (EC) on
Wednesday resolved unanimously to ask the Constitutional Court to disband the
Thai Raksa Chart Party (TRC), citing that the party’s nomination of Princess
Ubolratana as its prime ministerial candidate on Feb 8 could threaten the
constitutional monarchy.
In its released statement, the EC said it based its decision
on Section 92 of the Political Parties Act and assigned EC secretary-general
Jarungwit Phumma, in his capacity as the political party registrar, to file the
EC’s request with the Constitutional Court and represent the EC in the trial.
Meanwhile, the TRC asked the EC to let it explain why it
nominated Princess Ubolratana as its prime minister candidate, before deciding
to seek its dissolution.
Surachai Chinchai, legal affairs member of TRC, sent his
letter addressed to the EC chairman at the Office of the EC at 9am. He asked
the EC to observe the rule of law in handling the case and question his party
on it first.
“A rush on the decision before the election means the
exclusion of the Thai Raksa Chart Party from the contest before the voting. It
is like an execution before ballots are cast on March 24.” Mr Surachai said.
The EC would have to gather facts. If it did not listen to
an explanation from the party, it would be considered as violating the rule of
law, he said.
The matter had impacts on the party and its members
nationwide. They should be allowed to exercise their fundamental right that was
to vote, Mr Surachai said.
He insisted that Thai Raksa Chart adhered to the EC’s rules,
laws and the constitution. (TNA)
