Government is ‘stalling’ Senate election probe, opposition says

Thailand’s main opposition party says the government is using parliamentary procedure to keep questions about the 2024 Senate election from being examined.

People’s Party deputy leader Rangsiman Rome said the government used an urgent debate on unrest in the three southernmost provinces to delay consideration of the Election Commission’s annual report. The House had already agreed on procedures that would have allowed lawmakers to question the commission, he said, but Thursday’s meeting ended before the report could be considered.

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Further delays could fuel public suspicion that the government is seeking to avoid questions about the alleged collusion.

Rome also accused the government of extending the speakers’ list to postpone the report and said the debate could have been referred quickly to a cabinet or House committee. He said further delays could fuel public suspicion that the government wants to avoid questions about alleged collusion in the Senate election.

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The annual report is an important mechanism for examining independent organizations.

The Election Commission is due to vote on the case on Sept. 14. A total of 229 people, including Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and several senior Bhumjaithai Party figures, have reportedly been recommended for prosecution over alleged manipulation of the election. The individuals have denied involvement.

People’s Party lawmaker Buntinun Nungmuang accused the Bhumjaithai-led government of shielding the commission from parliamentary scrutiny, calling its annual report an important mechanism for independent organizations to be examined. He also cited allegations that an election official received payments and that witnesses in the Senate election case had faced pressure. The government rejected criticism that it had failed to address unrest in the south, with Anutin saying public funds must be used carefully and efficiently.

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A government cannot operate without courage.