Five new EC members take up posts
Five new members of the Election Commission (EC) took office yesterday, and faced the immediate challenge of how to handle the controversial selection of 616 poll inspectors.
Led by chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong, the EC members attended a ceremony to receive a royal command appointing them as commissioners.
The royal command was published in the Royal Gazette this week, endorsing Mr Ittiporn, Santhat Siriananpaiboon, Thawatchai Therdpaothai, Chatchai Chanpraisri, and Pakorn Mahannop as the new poll commissioners.
Asked about the contentious selection of poll inspectors by his predecessors, Mr Ittiporn said the issue did not pose any pressing concern and he understood the former EC’s need to proceed with the matter.
A group of National Legislative Assembly members had been seeking to amend the organic law on the EC in an apparent attempt to scrap the EC inspector selection process.
However, Mahannop Detwitak, one of 36 lawmakers who supported the move, on Thursday said the group has now withdrawn its motion which was earlier presented to the NLA president, saying they would let the new EC commissioners decide on the issue.
Speaking after a meeting with the former EC yesterday, Mr Ittiporn said the selection of the poll inspectors was brought up among other issues for discussion, but he declined to go into detail.
He said the former commissioners did not express concerns over any issues in particular.
On his new role, Mr Ittiporn, a former diplomat, said he would work with others with respect and unity and coordinate closely with the Office of the EC.
The new commissioners would hold a meeting on Tuesday to lay down their vision and guidelines, he said, adding the members were committed to carrying out their duties in strict compliance with the organic law.
“The organic law requires the commissioners to be impartial, independent and free of any influences. This is the mantra EC members will uphold because it will steer us to work appropriately,” he said
He said even though the new EC did not have experience in holding elections, its members had done their homework and were ready to take up the challenge.