The Election Commission (EC) has been ordered by the Constitutional Court to present its list of witnesses and evidence in the high-stakes case against the Move Forward Party (MFP) before the next hearing on June 18.
The nine judges of the Constitutional Court convened today to deliberate the EC’s petition to dissolve the MFP. The embattled party had already filed its written defence on June 4.
The EC’s petition accuses the MFP of attempting to overthrow the constitutional monarchy and acting in opposition to the democratic system with the King as head of state.
These accusations, according to the EC, violate Article 92 (1) and (2) of the Political Party Act. Central to the EC’s case is a ruling by the Constitutional Court on January 31, which declared that former MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s campaign promise to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law, was unconstitutional and could be perceived as an attempt to destabilise the constitutional monarchy.
The EC has demanded the court dissolve the MFP and impose a political ban on its executive board members.
After scrutinising the case, the court instructed the EC to submit a comprehensive list of witnesses and evidence by next Monday, June 17. This development sets the stage for a tense legal battle that could significantly alter the political landscape, reported The Nation.
In related news, the Constitutional Court decided by an 8-1 vote to consider two petitions challenging the legality of key provisions in the law governing the election of the nation’s 200 new senators. The decision has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, raising questions about the upcoming senatorial elections. Despite agreeing to review the petitions, the court unanimously dismissed the petitioners’ call for an immediate injunction.
In other news, on the brink of potential dissolution by the Constitutional Court, the MFP is preparing contingency plans, including identifying three potential leaders for a new party. This comes as the party defends itself against accusations of attempting to undermine the constitutional monarchy through its efforts to amend the lese majeste law.
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