Ballot in Khon Kaen probed for foul play
Palang Pracharath win marred by suspicion
KHON KAEN: The provincial election fee has launched three probes into suspected irregularities in Sunday’s Constituency 7 by-election, which was gained by the Palang Pracharath Occasion candidate.
Somsak Khun-ngern obtained 40,252 votes to say the Northeast seat by a slim margin forward of Pheu Thai’s Thanik Maseepitak (38,010), with a 61.38% turnout.
Nonetheless, the Khon Kaen election fee is investigating a criticism made to police by an aged voter, who stated the kamnan of tambon Ban Meng walked right into a voting cubicle, snatched her poll paper and marked it for the candidate of his selection.
After Than Phonsane, 86, lodged her criticism the kamnan, Chakkrathon Ngo-botda, rushed to the identical police station to disclaim the accusation and provide his personal model of occasions.
Pol Col Phopkon Kawinyothin, superintendent of Nong Rua police station, stated yesterday investigators questioned the voter and the kamnan on Sunday and would subsequent query 11 witnesses to hunt the reality. The witnesses comprise 9 officers on the polling station and two observers representing political events throughout Sunday’s voting, stated Pol Col Phopkon.
Mr Chakkrathon stated yesterday he had visited the police station to file a proper criticism towards Ms Than and different events, together with sure journalists, for allegedly defaming him.
He wasn’t going to hassle contacting police on Sunday, he stated, as a result of he thought Ms Than was merely influenced by the occasion canvasser who took her to the police station. However he modified his thoughts after she spoke to the media, damaging his fame.
Aphinan Chan-uppala, head of the Khon Kaen election fee, stated his workplace was working with the police in its investigation.
In a second obvious irregularity, a polling station official was photographed sticking his head right into a voting sales space. Nonetheless, an preliminary investigation confirmed the official was solely aiding an aged voter to forged their poll.
Suspicions of a 3rd irregularity proved to be unfounded, he added. A small Palang Pracharath flag had been positioned on a police station work desk on Sunday, prompting allegations of police bias. However because the police station wasn’t thought of a part of a polling station, the flag’s presence wasn’t a violation of election legislation, he stated.
