Bangkok: The Election Commission has clarified that it has not yet reached the stage of concluding the lawsuit against senators for collusion. The process remains in its initial phase, with the 26th subcommittee seeking an extension for consideration until July 17. They urge against creating trends or spreading rumors, indicating that it will be some time before the case reaches the main Election Commission.

According to Thai News Agency, the Election Commission released a clarification after reports surfaced suggesting that the 26th Central Investigation and Inquiry Subcommittee was set to submit the case file to the full Election Commission for consideration on Monday, July 14. These reports were deemed inaccurate. The case is currently in the first stage under the 26th Central Investigation and Inquiry Subcommittee, which is engaged in evidence collection and has extended the consideration period until July 17, 2025. Consequently, the case file has not been submitted to the Election Commission meeting as previously reported.

The process of considering the case follows the Election Commission’s regulations on investigation, inquiry, and adjudication B.E. 2561 and its amendments (No. 5) B.E. 2566, which include four steps. At Level 1, the Investigation and Inquiry Committee investigates or inquires about the case and forms an opinion, forwarding it to the Central Election Commission Office once complete.

At Level 2, the Election Commission Office (Central) receives the case file and assigns investigation and inquiry officers to analyze it, providing their opinions to various officials, including the Division Director and Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission.

Level 3 involves the Subcommittee for Adjudication of Problems or Controversies, which considers the matter and provides an opinion. The Election Commission then submits the case file for its consideration.

At Level 4, the Election Commission must review, decide, or issue an order promptly upon receiving the case from the Subcommittee for Adjudicating Problems or Disputes.

Once the 26th Central Investigation and Inquiry Subcommittee has gathered all necessary evidence, it must submit the case to the Election Commission for further action. The Election Commission Office requests that media outlets and social media users verify facts before publishing information to avoid public confusion.