Govt, PAD take battle to courts
While the caretaker government moves to open the new Parliament without confirmation that the required 500 MPs will be present, the People's Alliance for Democracy is seeking to nullify the election through all possible legal channels.
PAD spokesman Suriyasai Kata-sila told The Nation that the group is exploring various possibilities in preparation for filing complaints to the Central Administrative Court, the Civil Court and the Criminal Court to nullify the April 2 snap election. "We expect to file our complaints within the week," he said. It is now almost certain that the new Parliament will not have all the 500 MPs required by the Constitu-tion to start its first session, due to widespread boycotts and protest votes. The Election Commission (EC) is trying to hold a third round of voting on April 29 in order to fill as many seats as possible. If a new Parliament is established, it will certainly have a distorted appearance, as it will be dominated by the Thai Rak Thai Party. Somchai Homlaor, chairman of the human rights committee of the Lawyers Council of Thailand, said that a group of lawyers would hold a brainstorming session this evening to determine how to bring about justice following the results of the snap election. "As lawyers we believe that there should be a channel for people to have access to justice. This is a principle of justice in the democratic system. Since injustices have been committed, the people must find a way to get access to justice. If we don't do that, how can the society survive?" Somchai said. He blasted the EC for what he called several counts of improper behaviour, including failing to act impartially, holding the date of the election quickly to favour the ruling party and accepting applications of new candidates for by-elections without the legal support of a Royal decree. Yesterday the caretaker Cabinet, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Wannasathit, held a meeting to approve a Royal decree prepared to request a Royal endorsement for the opening of the new Parliament. Chidchai said the Royal decree to convene the House, which does not specify a date, would be submitted to the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary. The ruling Thai Rak Thai Party will wait have to wait until after the April 29 by-elections, or 30 days after the April 2 election, before it can submit its case to allow the Constitution Court determine whether it is permissible to open Parliament without the minimum 500 MPs. Somroutai SapsomboonThe Nation
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