ID :
132200
Fri, 07/09/2010 - 18:43
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/132200
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Joint OAG-EC working group resolves Democrat Party should be dissolved
BANGKOK, July 9 - The joint working group of Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) and the Election Commission (EC) on Friday announced its decision that the ruling Democrat Party should be dissolved for having received an unlawful Bt258 million donation, according to Wichit Wichaisarn, who heads the special group.
Mr Wichit, also adviser to the EC chairman, said the working group jointly agreed to advice the EC political parties registrar to officially ask the Constitution Court to rule on the Democrat dissolution case.
He said the working group reached the solution without a formal vote as the evidence and information were solid and both agencies have a common understanding regarding the case.
The joint working group will officially inform EC chairman Apichart Sukhagghanont urgently, in his capacity as political party registrar, to ask the Constitution Court to dissolve the Democrat Party for receiving an unlawful Bt258 million donation, he said.
It was expected that the process will be completed by Tuesday (July 13 ) in time for the mandate of the joint EC-OAG committee as it was given 30 days to complete its work.
The joint working group was set up after the attorney general's office concluded that the evidence presented in the case filed by the EC was insufficient to support an approach to the court.
The elections agency earlier voted 4 to 1 to dissolve the party as a result of the case involving money from cement and petrochemical conglomerate TPI Polene, one of Thailand's largest companies. The Democrat Party was charged with receiving Bt258 million contribution from the firm in 2005, allegedly channeled through Messiah Business and Creation Co., an advertising agency.
TPI Polene claimed the money was to pay for advertising. However, the money was allegedly transferred from the agency to people connected to the Democrat Party. The party under then leader Banyat Bantadtan and secretary-general Pradit Phataraprasit was campaigning for the April 2, 2005, general election.
EC found the Democrats violated the Political Party Act by failing to report the funding.
If the Constitution Court rules in line with the EC's resolution to dissolve the party, all executive members including party leader and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will be barred from politics for five years. (MCOT online news)
Mr Wichit, also adviser to the EC chairman, said the working group jointly agreed to advice the EC political parties registrar to officially ask the Constitution Court to rule on the Democrat dissolution case.
He said the working group reached the solution without a formal vote as the evidence and information were solid and both agencies have a common understanding regarding the case.
The joint working group will officially inform EC chairman Apichart Sukhagghanont urgently, in his capacity as political party registrar, to ask the Constitution Court to dissolve the Democrat Party for receiving an unlawful Bt258 million donation, he said.
It was expected that the process will be completed by Tuesday (July 13 ) in time for the mandate of the joint EC-OAG committee as it was given 30 days to complete its work.
The joint working group was set up after the attorney general's office concluded that the evidence presented in the case filed by the EC was insufficient to support an approach to the court.
The elections agency earlier voted 4 to 1 to dissolve the party as a result of the case involving money from cement and petrochemical conglomerate TPI Polene, one of Thailand's largest companies. The Democrat Party was charged with receiving Bt258 million contribution from the firm in 2005, allegedly channeled through Messiah Business and Creation Co., an advertising agency.
TPI Polene claimed the money was to pay for advertising. However, the money was allegedly transferred from the agency to people connected to the Democrat Party. The party under then leader Banyat Bantadtan and secretary-general Pradit Phataraprasit was campaigning for the April 2, 2005, general election.
EC found the Democrats violated the Political Party Act by failing to report the funding.
If the Constitution Court rules in line with the EC's resolution to dissolve the party, all executive members including party leader and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will be barred from politics for five years. (MCOT online news)
