Fears held for next EC shortlist

Rigid charter rules scare contenders away

All parties involved in the selection process of a new Election Commission (EC) are being urged to look into the cause of the problem amid claims the government secretly asked legislators to veto them.

Concerns have grown after the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) last week voted to reject all seven shortlisted candidates.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday those involved in the EC selection process should find out where the problems lie.

Mr Abhisit said he disagreed with an observation the NLA was forced to reject the candidates because the charter demands rigid qualifications from the poll commissioners, just as the NLA argued.

He said several potential candidates meet the strict qualifications but they are afraid to apply to be considered for the job.

He did not say why and called on the selection panel to take action and give potential candidates enough confidence to apply.

Meanwhile, Seree Suwanpanont, a member of the National Reform Steering Assembly, said the rejection was likely due to the strict regulations laid down by the charter.

There is a chance any new batch of candidates also may be rejected.

He also said the rigid qualifications are driving away potential candidates while noting the Supreme Court may not want to nominate anyone out of fears of being rejected.

It was reported the NLA had received “a clear signal” from the regime to turn down the candidates because the regime was concerned about claims the Supreme Court’s selection of two election commissioners was not an open process, and it could face a legal challenge.

Under the new constitution, the Supreme Court picks two of the seven members of the EC and the remaining five are picked by a panel.

Chatchai Janpraisri, chief justice of the Supreme Court, and Pakorn Mahannop, a judge in the Supreme Court, were chosen as two candidates under the Supreme Court’s quota.

Previously, incumbent EC member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said the Supreme Court’s choice of Mr Chatchai and Mr Pakorn may have violated Section 12 of the organic bill on the EC which requires the court to hold a vote for the commissioners openly.

Mr Somchai said the court sessions to choose the two candidates were held behind closed doors.

Suriyasai Katasila, deputy dean of Rangsit University’s Social Innovation College and former coordinator for the People’s Alliance for Democracy, said the NLA made the right call because the selection process of the EC members was in doubt.

He said critics raised concerns about a possible legal challenge as well as about the shortlisted candidates’ ability to ensure a fair and transparent election.

“My concern is the partisanship of the seven shortlisted candidates who may be inclined to support certain political groups. So I think the NLA has made the right call. The endorsement could lead to problems,” he said.

He called on parties concerned to make sure the new selection process is free from controversy and interference to avoid a fresh batch of candidates being rejected.

Mr Suriyasai said he is not sure the current caretaker EC led by Supachai Somcharoen has the full authority to organise the general election and it could lead to a legal dispute later.

Pheu Thai member Chaturon Chaisang said yesterday the NLA’s rejection of the EC candidates can delay the election further because there is no certainty of who will apply.

He also expressed concerns the next batch of candidates may also be rejected if they do not meet the specifications or expectations of those in power.

The new EC, he said, has massive powers and if the poll agency is not doing its job transparently in the elections, it can influence the election results.

Nevertheless, Suriyan Hongwilai, spokesman of the court of justice, yesterday rejected former EC member Sodsri Sattayatham’s warning about a possible conflict between the NLA and the judiciary.

He insisted the court did its job as required by the law as best as it could without attaching any feeling to it, and noted the NLA also simply did its job.

According to Mr Suriyan, the court would begin the fresh selection process after it receives a notification from the NLA.

Pheu Thai member Noppadon Pattama said the sooner the regime lifts the political ban, the better, and it would make the cloud of political uncertainty disappear. “There is a simple and straight-forward approach but the question is if those in power have the courage to proceed,” he said.

Meanwhile, EC member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn yesterday denied rumours that he was stepping down, saying it would complicate the situation further.

A source said it is possible Mr Somchai will apply for the job of the EC’s secretarygeneral to ensure a smooth transition between the caretaker EC and the new EC.