Thai Raksa Chart asks EC to be allowed to defend itself

• The Thai Raksa Chart Party (TRC) has asked the Election Commission (EC) for a chance to defend itself amid reports EC will seek its disbandment for alleged “hostility” towards the constitutional monarchy system in nominating Princess Ubolratana as its candidate for prime minister.
• Surachai Chinchai, the party’s legal affairs adviser, wrote to the EC chairman on 13 Feb 19, citing laws as reasons why the commission should to listen to the TRC’s side of the controversy before deciding whether to ask the Constitutional Court to dissolve it, adding that the disbandment of the party would affect the rights of the party and party members that the constitution protects. He also wrote that failure to listen to the accused party’s explanation would be against the law and the rule of law, citing Section 93 of the organic law on political parties, saying the political parties’ registrar would have to compile facts and evidence for the EC’s consideration.
• Party leader Preechaphol Pongpanit, in a similar note, said that they were perplexed about what charges they would face, and they will seek clarity from the court so that it can prepare its case. The Constitutional Court is scheduled to meet on 14 Feb 19 to decide whether to accept the EC petition to dissolve the party.
• EC announced that it was seeking a judgement from the Constitutional Court to disband the Thai Raksa Chart Party for allegedly acting in opposition to the monarchy, with EC’s secretary-general Jarungvith Phumma, acting in his capacity as the registrar of political parties, representing the agency to bring the case to the Court.
• The case is expected to revolve around an assertion that involvement of royalty in politics violates Article 92 of the Political Party Law that prohibits any action against democratic rule under the constitutional monarchy.

External Link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1628418/thai-raksa-chart-asks-ec-to-be-allowed-to-defend-itself

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