The opposition People’s Party (PP) will lodge a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) over a decision by election commissioners to dismiss key allegations of collusion in the 2024 Senate election.
PP leader and opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said the party was considering including comments by Election Commissioner Sittichote Intaravises, a minority voice on the commission, in its petition to the NACC.
He said Mr Sittichote’s recent remarks supported the view that the alleged wrongdoing involved an organised operation rather than individual misconduct. Mr Natthaphong said the PP had been preparing a complaint against election commissioners over their performance.
He said the minority commissioner’s position was significant because it was consistent with what a reasonable person might conclude from the evidence: that the Senate election manipulation was carried out by an organised network involving organisers and political figures. The PP leader said the issue was not merely whether individual witnesses had provided credible testimony.
Other evidence could establish links to Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) executives and politicians, he said, adding the EC should refer cases to the court if there was sufficient evidence to believe an organised operation had taken place.
The EC voted on Monday to refer 77 people, including 26 sitting senators, to the Supreme Court over alleged offences linked to the 2024 Senate election. However, it decided not to pursue two allegations concerning political assistance to Senate candidates, clearing 21 people, mainly BJT figures, under the first allegation.
Mr Natthaphong said PP expected progress on its NACC complaint this week. Some individuals affected by the EC’s decision might also have grounds to pursue legal action under the Criminal Code over dereliction of duty.