ID :
116339
Mon, 04/12/2010 - 21:24
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/116339
The shortlink copeid
Election Commission resolves to dissolve PM's Democrat Party
BANGKOK, 12 (TNA) - Thailand's Election Commission (EC) on Monday resolved to dissolve the main ruling Democrat Party of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in the case involving a Bt258 million donation for the 2005 general election allegedly made to the Party, according to commission deputy secretary-general Thanit Sriprathet.
Mr Thanit said that EC chairman Apichart Sukhagghanond had given his recommendations regarding the case to the four EC members and it was agreed in the meeting that the Democrat Party should be dissolved for violating of Constitution.
The EC had earlier agreed to have Mr Apichart, in his capacity as political party registrar, to consider and giver his recommendaitons on the allegations whether the Democrats had illegally received the donation from petrochemical firm TPI Polene.
The Democrat Party is accused of violating the constitution by receiving a Bt258 million donation, far in excess of the legal amount, from TPI Polene Plc, the country's third-largest cement maker founded by Prachai Leophairatana who was also former leader of the Neutral Democratic Party, the Matchimatipatai Party.
TPI Polene was alleged to have made donations to the Democrats through Messiah Business and Creation, an advertising company.
The Democrat Party is also accused of misusing the a Bt29 million allocation from the EC's political party development fund.
Mr Thanit said the EC resolved that the two actions of Democrat Party could be considered as concealed acts and violated the Political Party Act.
The Democrat Party now faces dissolution and its executives could be banned from politics for five years if it is found guilty.
The EC will forward the case to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for consideration and then to the Constitution Court for final verdict.
If the OAG agreed with the EC, it could immedieatly sent the case to the Constitution Court but if the OAG has a different opinion, a joint committee would be set up to consider the case with the process lasting not longer than 30 days.
The Democrat spokesman said that the Party and Mr Abhisit had known about the EC's decision but the case was not yet over. He said the Party would definitely fight the decision.
Meanwhile, the anti-government 'Red-Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) which was protesting at Phan Fa bridge and Ratchaprasong intersection to demand the House dissolution had announced their victory and would later celebrate. (TNA)
Mr Thanit said that EC chairman Apichart Sukhagghanond had given his recommendations regarding the case to the four EC members and it was agreed in the meeting that the Democrat Party should be dissolved for violating of Constitution.
The EC had earlier agreed to have Mr Apichart, in his capacity as political party registrar, to consider and giver his recommendaitons on the allegations whether the Democrats had illegally received the donation from petrochemical firm TPI Polene.
The Democrat Party is accused of violating the constitution by receiving a Bt258 million donation, far in excess of the legal amount, from TPI Polene Plc, the country's third-largest cement maker founded by Prachai Leophairatana who was also former leader of the Neutral Democratic Party, the Matchimatipatai Party.
TPI Polene was alleged to have made donations to the Democrats through Messiah Business and Creation, an advertising company.
The Democrat Party is also accused of misusing the a Bt29 million allocation from the EC's political party development fund.
Mr Thanit said the EC resolved that the two actions of Democrat Party could be considered as concealed acts and violated the Political Party Act.
The Democrat Party now faces dissolution and its executives could be banned from politics for five years if it is found guilty.
The EC will forward the case to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for consideration and then to the Constitution Court for final verdict.
If the OAG agreed with the EC, it could immedieatly sent the case to the Constitution Court but if the OAG has a different opinion, a joint committee would be set up to consider the case with the process lasting not longer than 30 days.
The Democrat spokesman said that the Party and Mr Abhisit had known about the EC's decision but the case was not yet over. He said the Party would definitely fight the decision.
Meanwhile, the anti-government 'Red-Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) which was protesting at Phan Fa bridge and Ratchaprasong intersection to demand the House dissolution had announced their victory and would later celebrate. (TNA)
