19-6-2023 (BANGKOK) The Election Commission (EC) in Thailand has endorsed all 400 constituency MPs-elect and 100 party-list MPs-elect following the May 14 general election, but has reserved the right to investigate any electoral fraud allegations within a year, according to EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee. He said that the EC could nullify electoral and candidacy rights of anyone found to have cheated in the election, even after endorsing the newly elected MPs. The EC has yet to conclude its investigation into allegations against 71 MPs-elect in 37 constituencies, and it is expected to take time to ensure justice in its investigations.
The constitution prohibits any shareholder of a media organisation from running in a general election, and there are allegations against Pita Limjaroenrat, leader and prime ministerial candidate of the Move Forward Party, for holding shares in iTV Plc. The inquiry committee of the office of the EC has yet to conclude its investigation in Mr Pita’s case.
The parliament must convene within 15 days of the EC’s endorsement of the new MPs to vote for the House speaker, followed by the process of voting for the new prime minister and the establishment of the new government. The new parliament is expected to convene by July 3. The Move Forward Party won the most House seats, 151, followed by the Pheu Thai Party (141), Bhumjaithai (71), Palang Pracharath (40), United Thai Nation (36), Democrat (25) and Chartthaipattana (10), according to the endorsed vote results.
