The Election Commission would consider whether to endorse Pheu Thai party-list candidates and red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan within the 30-day deadline, EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said.
Meanwhile, another red-shirt leader, Thida Thawornseth, said the group would wait and see the EC’s decisions before deciding on future moves. However, Thida said the group’s decision had nothing to do with a request by Pheu Thai’s PM-in-waiting Yingluck Shinawatra for the group not to pressure the electoral body.
“The red shirts are formed by the people. People’s opinions can vary. However, no one should be worried that the red shirts will do any damage,” she said.
Apichart said the EC members were doing their best to endorse at least 475 MPs so that Parliament can open within the 30-day deadline after the election. The EC had received a large amount of complaints, but it had dropped many cases due to a lack of solid evidence.
He said the EC had dropped a case against Bhum Jai Thai party-list candidate Chai Chidchob for alleged abuse of power in relation to state officials allegedly favouring the party.
Apichart, as the political party registrar, said he already had an opinion on the status of New Democracy Party’s party-list candidate Patcharin Manpan, whose leader was disqualified with bankruptcy. However, he said that would be revealed at a meeting on Tuesday.
Source: EC hoping to meet 30-day deadline.