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148787
Thu, 11/04/2010 - 19:32
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http://m.oananews.org//node/148787
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EC: Elections Dec 12 to fill seats of disqualified MPs
BANGKOK, Nov 4 - The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday has set December 12 as the by-election date to fill five seats vacated as a result of the Constitution Court's order disqualifying six members of parliament for breaching shareholding rules, according to Commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham.
Six MPs were disqualified on Wednesday by the Constitution Court. Five were elected in constituencies and one on the party-list system which would be replaced by the next candidate on the party list.
The by-elections will take place in Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen, Surin and Nakhon Ratchasima.
Mrs Sodsri told reporters after the EC meeting that the meeting approved the plan to hold the by-elections Dec 12. The application date for candidates was scheduled for Nov 22-26 and
advance balloting will be held Dec 4-5.
The scheduled dates will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval, she said.
Mrs Sodsri said the EC believed the flood would not have any impact on the polling as the situation would return to normal by the time the election is held.
The election budget has not been set but Mrs Sodsri said she believed that each constituency would not use more money than that for Surat Thani by-election late last month at Bt16 million (US$540,000).
The Constitution Court on Wednesday ruled by a 7-1 vote to disqualify six members of parliament including two ministers from the coalition parties of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for breaching shareholding rules by holding shares in media companies or holding stakes in firms linked to state concessions.
Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat, Nakhon Ratchasima MP of the Bhumjaithai Party, and Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaivijit, an MP for Ayutthaya from the Chart Thai Pattana Party, were among the six disqualified MPs.
A Cabinet member is not required to be an MP so the ruling did not affect the ministerial posts held by Mr Boonjong and Mr Kuakul.
The others were Democrat Bangkok MP Somkiat Chantavanich; Puea Pandin MP for Surin Maliwan Thanyasakulkij; party list MP of the Puea Pandin Party Kittiwattana Pokmontri and Opposition Puea Thai MP for Khon Kaen Preechapol Pongpanich.
The court's ruling followed the request of the Senate and House Speakers who asked the Constitution Court to rule whether 16 senators and 28 MPs had violated Section 265 of the Constitution prohibiting senators and MPs from holding shares in companies contracted with the government from holding a state concession or holding shares in media business. Violators are subject to lose their parliamentary seats.
As for the 16 senators, the court found that they were not guilty. (MCOT online news)
Six MPs were disqualified on Wednesday by the Constitution Court. Five were elected in constituencies and one on the party-list system which would be replaced by the next candidate on the party list.
The by-elections will take place in Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen, Surin and Nakhon Ratchasima.
Mrs Sodsri told reporters after the EC meeting that the meeting approved the plan to hold the by-elections Dec 12. The application date for candidates was scheduled for Nov 22-26 and
advance balloting will be held Dec 4-5.
The scheduled dates will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval, she said.
Mrs Sodsri said the EC believed the flood would not have any impact on the polling as the situation would return to normal by the time the election is held.
The election budget has not been set but Mrs Sodsri said she believed that each constituency would not use more money than that for Surat Thani by-election late last month at Bt16 million (US$540,000).
The Constitution Court on Wednesday ruled by a 7-1 vote to disqualify six members of parliament including two ministers from the coalition parties of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for breaching shareholding rules by holding shares in media companies or holding stakes in firms linked to state concessions.
Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat, Nakhon Ratchasima MP of the Bhumjaithai Party, and Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaivijit, an MP for Ayutthaya from the Chart Thai Pattana Party, were among the six disqualified MPs.
A Cabinet member is not required to be an MP so the ruling did not affect the ministerial posts held by Mr Boonjong and Mr Kuakul.
The others were Democrat Bangkok MP Somkiat Chantavanich; Puea Pandin MP for Surin Maliwan Thanyasakulkij; party list MP of the Puea Pandin Party Kittiwattana Pokmontri and Opposition Puea Thai MP for Khon Kaen Preechapol Pongpanich.
The court's ruling followed the request of the Senate and House Speakers who asked the Constitution Court to rule whether 16 senators and 28 MPs had violated Section 265 of the Constitution prohibiting senators and MPs from holding shares in companies contracted with the government from holding a state concession or holding shares in media business. Violators are subject to lose their parliamentary seats.
As for the 16 senators, the court found that they were not guilty. (MCOT online news)
