Bangkok: Somchai Srisutthiyakorn remains puzzled as he questions the two Election Commissioners who contributed to overturning a 4:3 vote to indict 26 senators on charges of collusion in the Senate election.
According to Thai News Agency, the indictment of the 26 senators has raised eyebrows, especially given the involvement of prominent figures such as Alongkot Worakee, General Sawat Thasana, Police Lieutenant General Boonchan Nuansai, Maria Paopratan, and Cheewapap Cheewatham. Of these, 6-7 serve as chairpersons of parliamentary committees, and some received the highest number of votes within their professional groups.
Somchai, a former Election Commissioner, expressed his confusion in a Facebook post, questioning the whereabouts of the two Election Commissioners who overturned the vote. The decision had initially been a 5:2 majority, except for the vote on whether the 26 senators themselves had violated the law, which resulted in a narrow 4:3 split.
The identities and motivations behind the two commissioners who joined the majority remain undisclosed. Their decision could be attributed to two possible reasons: the overwhelming evidence against the 26 senators, which made it difficult to oppose, or a self-preservation tactic, abandoning obligations to their original group and voting for the other side. This shift increased the original two votes to four, holding the 26 senators accountable.
However, while their actions did not benefit themselves, these two commissioners now face threats on two fronts. The public remains committed to pursuing legal action based on the 5:2 vote, with numerous cases where votes contradicted evidence and legal principles, potentially leading to criminal charges under Section 157 against the five Election Commission members.
The blue party also harbors resentment over the split and self-serving tactics, with indiscriminate attacks on key figures and networks within the blue political group. The identities of the two commissioners who changed their allegiance remain unknown, and they are advised to keep a low profile amidst the unfolding controversy.