More than a month has passed since Thai voters went to the polls to choose their next government. Yet the country remains in limbo, with little clarity about whether the most popular party will be able to take power and with its leader placed under investigation.
The progressive Move Forward party stunned many observers by winning the most seats in May’s election after promising change in a country that has been ruled by coup-maker Prayuth Chan-ocha for nine years. Move Forward, which is hugely popular among younger voters, has since announced it has agreed to form a coalition with other opposition parties.
But Thailand’s election rules, combined with a legal case hanging over the party’s leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, means its path to power is uncertain.
The Election Commission said last week that it was pursuing an investigation into Pita to determine whether he ran despite being aware that he was ineligible. The case centres on a claim that Pita owned shares in a media company, which would be a breach of election rules. It follows a series of petitions filed against Pita by his opponents.
Pita has denied the allegations, saying the shares were inherited from his late father and that iTV, the company in question, has not operated as a media business since 2007.
Earlier this month he announced he had transferred ownership of the shares to prevent any efforts to revive the company’s media operations from affecting his role in politics. He was confident he had not broken any rules, he said.
If Pita is found to be in violation, he could face up to 10 years in jail, a 20-year ban from politics and a fine. (The Guardian)
