Bangkok: Reserve Senators have expressed concerns over potential delays in the Election Commission’s (EC) investigation into senator collusion, urging the submission of the report to the Supreme Court by August 12. This urgency is highlighted by fears of black magic interference and the impending retirement of two EC members.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Gen. Kamrob Panyakaew, leading a group of reserve senators, submitted a formal request to the EC to expedite the investigation process. This comes after the 26th Investigation Committee, comprising EC representatives and Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officers, completed their investigation on July 17. The case was subsequently forwarded to the EC for review.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Kamrob cited EC regulations mandating the prompt submission of the investigation report, which has already exceeded the one-year deadline from the election results announcement on July 10, 2568. The delay in processing has raised significant concerns about the EC’s efficiency.
Despite assurances from the EC chairman on July 18 that the process would follow standard procedures, Pol. Lt. Gen. Kamrob criticized this approach, highlighting the potential for unfair influence in the selection of important committee members in independent organizations, including the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Constitutional Court.
To address these concerns, Pol. Lt. Gen. Kamrob outlined several demands:
1. The legal department of the Election Commission should expedite the examination process within 7 working days, bypassing the standard 60-day timeframe.
2. The EC should consider exempting the case from the subcommittee process or involve EC legal advisors to expedite the review within a week.
3. Given the gravity of the situation, the EC should swiftly finalize the report and submit it to the Supreme Court by August 12, aligning with Section 82 of the investigation regulations.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Kamrob further stressed the importance of addressing public concerns and preventing potential manipulation of the investigative process due to alleged interference. He urged the EC to act decisively to identify and prosecute those responsible for stalling the investigation.