Election Commission Files Cases Against 18 Disqualified Candidates in Nonthaburi
The Nonthaburi Election Commission filed criminal cases against 18 disqualified senate candidates, including prominent lawyer Kerdpol Kaewkerd, who violated rules requiring a five-year gap between leaving a political party and running for o
The Nonthaburi Provincial Election Commission filed criminal cases on September 11 against 18 district-level senate candidates lacking proper qualifications. One of the 18 was prominent lawyer Kerdpol Kaewkerd, who had only recently stepped down from representing the Thai Unionist Party before running for senate at the district level—a violation of the Organic Law governing Senate selection, which requires candidates to have left their political party at least five years before candidacy.
After verifying Kerdpol's credentials, the Election Commission confirmed he was ineligible and voted in resolution 46/2569 on May 19 to prosecute him under Article 74 read with Article 14(22) of the Organic Law, as well as Article 137 of the Criminal Code. The violation occurred on May 21 at the Bangbuathong District Office in Nonthaburi, the official registration venue for district-level senate candidates.
Election Commission staff then proceeded to file cases against all 18 disqualified candidates across Nonthaburi province. In Bangbuathong District alone, five candidates were found to lack qualifications, including Kerdpol. Staff dispersed to file cases at various lodging facilities throughout the province until all 18 cases were completed.
