DSI investigates potential rigging in last year’s Senate election
The Department of Special Investigation’s (DSI) special cases board will address complaints related to the Senate election held last year with transparency, according to Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong.
Yesterday, February 26, the minister met with unsuccessful candidates and those on the reserve list of senators who supported him amid rising tensions between the DSI and the Senate.
Some senators have considered seeking the removal of Police Colonel Tawee following the DSI’s suggestion of potential rigging in last year’s Senate election. The allegations appear to target blue bloc senators, a group known for supporting the Bhumjaithai Party, part of the government coalition.
Many blue bloc senators elected in July came from provinces where Bhumjaithai has a strong influence, including 14 from Buriram, the home province of party figurehead Newin Chidchob. In contrast, Bangkok, with a significantly larger population, has nine senators.
The special cases board, led by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, was anticipated to decide on Tuesday whether to accept the complaints as a special case. However, the decision was postponed until March 6 as more information is sought from the Election Commission (EC).
Pol. Col. Tawee stated that while the board has reviewed the facts, legal issues still require consideration before a decision can be made. He affirmed that the DSI has the authority to investigate criminal complaints that extend beyond the EC’s jurisdiction and expressed his readiness to answer questions should the Senate hold a general debate on the matter.
In a separate interview, the minister noted that the EC had already initiated an internal inquiry, with police and the DSI involved, following a similar complaint.
He mentioned that the DSI initially discovered that influential groups were orchestrating illegal activities, prompting an investigation into potential criminal association, currently the only charge being considered.
The minister indicated that no board member has questioned the DSI’s preliminary findings, which support a formal investigation. No charges have been filed yet, but those allegedly involved have been grouped into five categories, potentially encompassing up to a thousand individuals, reported Bangkok Post.
“Criminal association does not fall under the EC’s jurisdiction. The law identifies offences related to politicians, and criminal associations along with money laundering are not included. These offences can be addressed by the police and the DSI.”
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