Sixteen Pheu Thai poll candidates including several caretaker cabinet ministers face another legal challenge for alleged violation of the election law regarding their appearances on television programmes during the general election campaign period.
If these candidates violated the law, they face a six-month jail term and/or a fine of 10,000 baht. They might also be disqualified from the Feb 2 poll, said Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn.
He said the Election Commission (EC) will meet today to consider the allegations against the candidates who appeared as guest speakers on three television programmes broadcast on state-run Channel 11 while a royal decree on the Feb 2 poll and the election law were in effect.
He said these candidates could have violated Section 60 of the law governing the election. The section involves the use of state media for election campaigning.
Among them are caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, caretaker Commerce Minister Nattawut Saikuar, caretaker Education Minister Chaturon Chaisaeng, and party-list candidates Somchai Wongsawat, Pokin Polakul, Weng Tojirakarn, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana and Pichit Chuenban.
According to Mr Somchai, the EC asked Channel 11 and the Public Relations Department to send the programmes for examination. It turned out that between Dec 10, 2013 and Jan 7, 2014, the candidates appeared as guest speakers on three news shows: Fan Thong (It Must Happen for Sure), Thod Salak Khao (Decoding News) and Tan Sathanakarn Ban Muang (Keeping up with the Situation).
Mr Somchai said the programmes involved the political situation including the rice-pledging scheme, the legitimacy of the Feb 2 election, red-shirt rallies and the role of public independent agencies. If the candidates are found to have used the shows to smear opponents, they face a separate charge, he added.
However, the commissioner said the EC will consult its legal specialists, noting the case is unprecedented. No state-owned media outlet had ever invited election candidates from a single party to appear on its programmes before.
