Opposition Demands Election Commission Investigate Vote-Buying Allegations
Opposition lawmakers demanded the Election Commission investigate vote-buying allegations ahead of July 26 provincial elections, warning that ignoring credible witness accounts could expose officials to criminal liability.
At a parliamentary forum on Wednesday, opposition coalition members criticized the handling of parliamentary election irregularities, with lawmaker Satit Wongnongtoy pointing out that consistent witness accounts across multiple forums suggest genuine evidence of vote-buying schemes rather than fabrication. He urged Election Commission Secretary Sawaeng Boonmee to properly investigate all facts presented, warning that refusing to pursue charges could expose officials to legal liability under Article 157 of the Criminal Code, and referenced past cases involving former officials like Wasana Thamsaeng.
The discussion panel included academics, civil society representatives, and former parliamentary candidates who presented evidence of alleged vote transfers to numerous candidates within a day before provincial elections scheduled for July 26, 2025. Satit emphasized the importance of the Election Commission fulfilling its mandate to seek truth through proper investigative procedures, noting that witnesses had preserved documentation and could provide detailed accounts of the alleged schemes, particularly involving the distribution of yellow shirts used to exploit loyalty symbols for unlawful purposes.
