Bangkok: The Election Commission (EC) has dismissed a petition accusing Ms. Nantana Nanthawaropas and Ms. Atchara Atchayakachat, candidates for the Bangkok Provincial Senate, of collusion in the senator selection process. The EC’s ruling, published on their official website, addressed allegations that the two candidates violated the Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senators 2018, Section 77 (1), by allegedly offering or promising benefits to influence the voting behavior of candidates or electors.
According to Thai News Agency, the petitioner claimed that during the provincial senator elections in Bangkok on June 16, 2024, Ms. Nantana and Ms. Atchara received a similar number of votes, raising suspicions of an agreement or conspiracy among voters to support both candidates. However, the EC found that the petition lacked concrete evidence, as it was primarily based on introductory information of the candidates without substantial proof to support the claims.
Further examination by the EC, which included testimony from election site committee members in Bangkok, Group 18, found no irregularities on the election day. Witnesses reported that the election proceeded without objections or legal violations. Additionally, a review of incident reports and video and audio recordings from the election site revealed no evidence of unlawful activities. The EC concluded that the candidates’ work history and experience did not support the existence of any agreement to influence the election outcome. As a result, the EC determined that Ms. Nantana and Ms. Atchara did not violate the 2018 Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senators, Section 77 (1).