By Thai Newsroom Reporters
A TOTAL OF 333 complaints have been filed so far for wrongdoing and attempted rigging charges pertaining to the district and provincial tiers of the complicated election for 200 senators nationwide.
Election Commission Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee said today (June 24) most of the 333 complaints involve the alleged falsification of professions either currently or previously held by certain candidates.
That refers to the contestants who have formally claimed to hold certain professions without truthfully doing so. There are 20 different categories of profession to which each senatorial candidate may truthfully belong.
Of that total of petitions filed to the Election Commission, about 90 involve allegations of attempted riggings on the part of certain senatorial contenders at either district or provincial level, many in alleged collusion with individual politicians or political parties, according to the secretary-general of the polling agency.
Nevertheless, Sawaeng confirmed the national or final tier of the triple-tiered election will be held as earlier scheduled on the upcoming Wednesday to find a total of 200 senators with each of the total 20 professions being represented at parliament by 10 winning contestants.
Sawaeng admitted some of the candidates may have been more or less influenced or clandestinely assisted by politicians or political parties but declined to elaborate. However, he said investigations are currently carried out on the basis of those allegations of electoral wrongdoings.
The electoral rules prohibit all candidates from being practically attached to or assisted either directly or indirectly by any individuals or parties.
The ongoing race to parliament is entirely unprecedented with votes being cast from among fellow candidates running for senator and not from constituents anywhere.
Official results of the election for 200 senators are scheduled to be publicly announced on July 2.
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Top and Front Page: Over 200 senatorial candidates held a meeting at Amari Don Mueang Airport Hotel to get to know each other and exchange views before the final tier of the race on Wednesday. Photos: Thai Rath
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