EC staffers can't help ex-bosses
Election Commission (EC) officials have been put in the awkward position of being unable to help their three ex-bosses clear their desks as it might lead to them having their bail cancelled.
Under the terms of the bail, the three former commissioners cannot be involved with EC affairs or contact any EC officials. Former EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp hired a private company to clear his office, with EC officials pointing out which were his personal belongings and which were EC documents or property that could not be removed. Former commissioners Prinya Nakchudtree, Virachai Naewboonnien had their old subordinates who were close to them collect their belongings. But the subordinates did not visit their former bosses or call them, a source said yesterday. "The day the court granted them bail, I was going to pick [him] up but he ordered me not to get involved with him,'' an EC official said. According to a source, EC officials have criticised the move to select the new EC, saying if the commissioners were selected by the court, they may not be qualified for the job and may not have experience checking for election fraud. "We believe they cannot be able to issue red cards or yellow cards. All electoral complaints will be rejected. They will know what politicians are like." Meanwhile EC secretary-general Ekachai Warunprapa has complained that he no longer wants his job, saying he did not have the power to do anything, the source claimed. A total of 41 EC officials who were promoted and transferred on July 17 fear they may be transferred again when the new EC commissioners assume their posts, according to the source. He said the new EC might remove Ekachai because he is not knowledgeable in law and does not perform efficiently.
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