16-8-2023 (BANGKOK) Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat has expressed his concerns regarding the Election Commission’s (EC) motives in investigating his shareholding in the defunct broadcaster iTV. This comes after an inquiry panel recommended that the EC drop the case against him. Mr. Pita took to Facebook to voice his suspicions, stating that the situation appears to be a deliberate act of political persecution.
The charge against Mr. Pita was based on Section 151 of the Election Act, which states that a candidate who applies to run as an MP while knowing that they may be in violation of election rules, such as holding shares in a media company, could face disqualification. However, iTV had stopped broadcasting in 2007 and was delisted from the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 2014. In recent years, the company generated minimal income from a subsidiary that provided broadcasting equipment and media support services. In the 2022 financial year, iTV’s reported revenue solely consisted of interest income from bank deposits and bonds.
Mr. Pita highlighted the fact that the investigative panel found that iTV was not operating as a media company and had no income from media operations. He argued that this supported his innocence, emphasizing that he had held the shares in question while fulfilling his duties as an MP for four years without any complaints being raised. He raised suspicions about the timing of the case, suggesting that complaints were only made when he became a prime ministerial candidate. The case was submitted to the Constitutional Court just a few days before his nomination as prime minister.
A discrepancy arose between a video recording of an iTV shareholders’ meeting, where a senior executive stated that the company was not engaged in any media business, and the published minutes of the meeting, which claimed otherwise. Mr. Pita highlighted this inconsistency, indicating possible attempts to manipulate the definition of “media shares.”
In light of the committee’s findings, Mr. Pita questioned the fairness of his suspension from MP duty pending a ruling. He pointed out that previous cases involving approximately 60 MPs in 2020 did not result in suspensions, while his situation led to his suspension. He urged society to consider the fairness of his suspension.
An EC source confirmed that the investigative committee found no clear evidence that iTV was operating and generating income at the time Mr. Pita filed his candidacy application. The committee’s findings and recommendation have been forwarded to the secretary-general of the Election Commission and will be further reviewed by a sub-committee. Mr. Pita may be called upon to testify during this process.
On July 19, the Constitutional Court suspended Mr. Pita from his duties after accepting the EC’s complaint. He has maintained that the 42,000 shares in iTV were part of his late father’s estate, which he managed as the executor. He explained that the shares have since been transferred to relatives and that he had declared the holdings and provided an explanation when he was first elected as an MP in 2019, being told not to worry about it.
