Thai Election Commission asks Constitutional Court to Suspend and Investigate Prime Minister Candidate Pita Limjaroenrat Over Media Shares

Thailand –

The Thai Election Commission (EC) has agreed to send the case of Pita’s ITV media shareholding to the Constitutional Court as well as asked to suspend Pita as a member of Thai Parliament immediately.

Our previous stories:

Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader and prime ministerial candidate of the Move Forward Party, is currently under investigation regarding his alleged shareholding in iTV Plc.

Now for the update:

On Wednesday (July 12^th) around 10:15 A.M. the Election Commission (EC) formally approved to ask the Thai Constitutional Court to suspend Mr. Pita Limjaroenrat who is currently the leader and prime ministerial candidate of the Move Forward Party, as Member of Parliament immediately.

This comes one day before the election for Thai Prime Minister in Parliament in a joint session between the Junta-appointed Senate and elected House of Representatives.

The suspension request came after the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday (July 12^th) has decided to send the case of the investigation on Pita’s alleged shareholding in iTV Plc to the Constitutional Court.

It has been reported that the Constitutional Court will hold their weekly meeting this afternoon. If the Election Commission (EC) has successfully sent the case before the time of the meeting, the public will see if the court will formally decide on the request.

The Move Forward Party immediately released a scathing response, alleging the request and investigation last minute violated the Election Commission’s own rules and regulations. There has been no formal counter statement from the EC.

TPN media notes that Pita could still be nominated for Prime Minister even if suspended but many on-the-fence senators and MP’s may choose not to vote for someone under a formal investigation by a Thai court.