Four candidates qualify for April 23 poll

PHUKET CITY: The Phuket Election Commission (PEC) has announced that four people have been declared eligible to run in the April 23 parliamentary by-elections in Phuket, two in each voting district.

The Head of the Phuket Election Commission (PEC), Dr Prapa Kayee, told the Gazette today that the candidates for District 1 will be Dr Sriyada Palimapan of the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party and Thongchai Kaewthong of the Siam Party.

In District 2, Wisut Santikul of the TRT will be up against Prayoon Poonchan of the Pattana Chart Thai (PCT) Party.

Dr Sriyada and K. Wisut now have a far better chance of winning a seat in Parliament than they did on April 2.

Standing unopposed, a candidate must receive a number of votes equivalent to at least 20% of the electorate in that district. With an opponent, however, the candidate need poll only the equivalent of 5% of the electorate in order to win.

The PEC once again disqualified Pol Sgt Panya Borirak of the PCT and Thavorn Permpoon of the Thai Chuay Thai Party. The two were barred from running in the April 2 general election because they had not been members of their parties for the required minimum of 90 days.

Both were disqualified again this time, on the same grounds.

“[They] have the right to appeal to the Supreme Court, and the court will deliver a judgment before the election date,” Dr Prapa said. “If there is any change, the PEC will announce it immediately,” she said.

Asked why she thought the two disqualified candidates had tried to register again, Dr Prapa said she had no idea. But, she added, if the Supreme Court rules again that they are not qualified, the PEC may bring charges against them for contravening election law.