Ex-EC commissioner among six facing criminal charges for alleged election interference

The Election Commission (EC) has lodged complaints with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) against six individuals, including Parit Wacharasindhu, spokesman for the People’s Party, and former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn.

They are accused of obstructing election officials in the performance of their duties, inciting public unrest, being members of a criminal organisation, and illegally disclosing confidential information without authorisation.

The four other individuals named in the complaint are Thammathee Sukchoterat, director of D-Vote at Sri Pathum University; Thanarat Kuawattanaphan, CEO of Domecloud and an expert in blockchain and computer software; Chaiyaphan Chavalvanichai, owner of M.I.B Marketing in Black; and Songphol Ruangsamut, chief photographer of Spacebar.

According to Kanchit Charoen-in, deputy secretary-general of the EC, who filed the complaints with the CSD today, the six allegedly conspired to photograph coded ballot papers and their stubs at Polling Station 9 in Bangkok’s Constituency 15, in the Khan Na Yao district, on February 22.

They then allegedly attempted to use the images to trace voters and determine how they cast their ballots.

The charge of obstructing election officials carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of 100,000 baht.

The charges of inciting public unrest and membership in a criminal organisation carry penalties of up to seven years in prison and/or a fine of 140,000 baht upon conviction.