GWR
29-03-07, 12:32 PM
I don't know about you, but I don't think I will be shedding any tears for either of these two manipulative leviathans of Thai politics:
Top two political parties face dissolution
By Manop Thip-Osod
Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) spokesman Atthapol Yaisawang said yesterday that both the Thai Rak Thai and Democrat parties were almost certain to be dissolved for cheating in the last election.
Weak testimony to the Constitution Tribunal by both parties has been insufficient to defend themselves against electoral fraud allegations.
The comment by Mr Atthapol, who led the OAG team working on the party dissolution cases, came as nine judges of the Constitution Tribunal continue to hear testimony and evidence offered by the two major political parties.
Mr Atthapol, who has been observing the proceedings, said he felt both parties had still been unable to produce enough evidence to counter allegations of misconduct in last year's April 2 election.
"But the final decision will rest with the court," Mr Atthapol said.
The Democrat party faces the charge of hiring small political parties to accuse Thai Rak Thai of electoral fraud while Thai Rak Thai is accused of bankrolling smaller parties to run against it in the election so that it could avoid the requirement of obtaining 20% of all eligible votes if candidates had to run uncontested in a constituency.
However, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he was confident his party had been able to answer all questions raised over its alleged electoral fraud.
The Democrat party has another two hearings today and next Thursday while Thai Rak Thai faces another three hearings. The verdicts will be given within 30 days after the hearings are complete.
Executives of the two parties could be banned from politics for five years if their parties are dissolved, according to an order made by the then Council for Democratic Reform, which staged the coup in September last year.
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=117736
Top two political parties face dissolution
By Manop Thip-Osod
Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) spokesman Atthapol Yaisawang said yesterday that both the Thai Rak Thai and Democrat parties were almost certain to be dissolved for cheating in the last election.
Weak testimony to the Constitution Tribunal by both parties has been insufficient to defend themselves against electoral fraud allegations.
The comment by Mr Atthapol, who led the OAG team working on the party dissolution cases, came as nine judges of the Constitution Tribunal continue to hear testimony and evidence offered by the two major political parties.
Mr Atthapol, who has been observing the proceedings, said he felt both parties had still been unable to produce enough evidence to counter allegations of misconduct in last year's April 2 election.
"But the final decision will rest with the court," Mr Atthapol said.
The Democrat party faces the charge of hiring small political parties to accuse Thai Rak Thai of electoral fraud while Thai Rak Thai is accused of bankrolling smaller parties to run against it in the election so that it could avoid the requirement of obtaining 20% of all eligible votes if candidates had to run uncontested in a constituency.
However, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he was confident his party had been able to answer all questions raised over its alleged electoral fraud.
The Democrat party has another two hearings today and next Thursday while Thai Rak Thai faces another three hearings. The verdicts will be given within 30 days after the hearings are complete.
Executives of the two parties could be banned from politics for five years if their parties are dissolved, according to an order made by the then Council for Democratic Reform, which staged the coup in September last year.
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=117736