(Bangkok, 8th) Praveen Bentim, Vice President of the Supreme Administrative Court, stated that a total of 18 cases related to recent elections and referendums are currently under review. Among these, one case has been rejected, two cases have been dismissed, and one case has been withdrawn by the plaintiff.
Praveen explained the progress of these cases and pointed out that according to the 2018 Election Related Organizational Law, jurisdiction over election disputes is divided among several courts, including the Constitutional Court, the administrative court system, and ordinary courts.
He said that among the 18 cases currently under review, some have been filed with the lower administrative courts while others were brought directly to the Supreme Administrative Court.
These cases involve several disputes, including:
· Issues with barcodes on ballots
· Only a three-day registration period for out-of-district referendum voting
· Use of the word “approve” on referendum ballots
· Problematic or invalid ballots
Additionally, the cases include:
· Alleged improper combining of ballot boxes
· Accusations of unfair election management
· The legality of holding referendums and national elections on the same day
· The design of referendum ballots only allowing voters to choose between “approve” or “reject”
The court has also refused to hear one case, which concerned the design of the referendum ballot only allowing voters to choose “approve” or “reject.”
Meanwhile, another case questioning the legality of holding the referendum and election on the same day has been withdrawn by the plaintiff. In addition, the Supreme Administrative Court has dismissed a case regarding the use of the word “approve” on referendum ballots.
On another note, former Election Commission (EC) member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn suggested establishing a public fund to assist citizens who face legal actions while monitoring the election process.
He said that many citizens who personally supervised the election found themselves as criminal suspects after complaints from the Election Commission, particularly in Chonburi province and Bangkok, and they may be forced to endure lengthy court proceedings.
He suggested that funds be raised not through direct donations, but through selling items such as board games, T-shirts, or books, with the proceeds used to assist those involved.
The fund could be used to cover legal fees, transportation to court, lost job opportunities due to lawsuits, psychological support, bail costs, and expenses involved in filing civil or criminal counterclaims.
Praveen explained the progress of these cases and pointed out that according to the 2018 Election Related Organizational Law, jurisdiction over election disputes is divided among several courts, including the Constitutional Court, the administrative court system, and ordinary courts.
He said that among the 18 cases currently under review, some have been filed with the lower administrative courts while others were brought directly to the Supreme Administrative Court.
· Issues with barcodes on ballots
· Only a three-day registration period for out-of-district referendum voting
· Use of the word “approve” on referendum ballots
· Problematic or invalid ballots
Additionally, the cases include:
· Alleged improper combining of ballot boxes
· Accusations of unfair election management
· The legality of holding referendums and national elections on the same day
· The design of referendum ballots only allowing voters to choose between “approve” or “reject”
The court has also refused to hear one case, which concerned the design of the referendum ballot only allowing voters to choose “approve” or “reject.”
Meanwhile, another case questioning the legality of holding the referendum and election on the same day has been withdrawn by the plaintiff. In addition, the Supreme Administrative Court has dismissed a case regarding the use of the word “approve” on referendum ballots.
On another note, former Election Commission (EC) member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn suggested establishing a public fund to assist citizens who face legal actions while monitoring the election process.
He said that many citizens who personally supervised the election found themselves as criminal suspects after complaints from the Election Commission, particularly in Chonburi province and Bangkok, and they may be forced to endure lengthy court proceedings.
He suggested that funds be raised not through direct donations, but through selling items such as board games, T-shirts, or books, with the proceeds used to assist those involved.
The fund could be used to cover legal fees, transportation to court, lost job opportunities due to lawsuits, psychological support, bail costs, and expenses involved in filing civil or criminal counterclaims.