The Election Commission (EC) has rejected calls from politicians to relax a regulation on the submission of income-tax-payment records, and urged candidates for the March 24 election to proceed with their 2018 income tax filings.
Under the rule, politicians who apply to run in the election are required to submit records of tax paid on income from 2016-2018.
However, some claim they do not have enough time this year as the deadline by which they must register as candidates is Feb 4-8.
EC secretary-general Jarungvith Phumma said the rule cannot be relaxed and they are strongly advised to file their 2018 income tax payments with the Revenue Department by March to obtain the proper records.
He said the EC has discussed the matter and agreed the records will cover 2016-2018, adding the filing period has already begun.
On the use of social media to canvass for votes, Mr Jarungvith said candidates are advised to inform election directors in their respective constituencies if they have such accounts, as a precautionary measure.
This is to prevent the use of fake accounts for "mudslinging" because canvassing is now permitted even though candidates cannot yet officially register.
Those planning to contest the poll do not have to delete their social media accounts, he noted, referring to reports that some have opted to deactivate their accounts on Facebook or the Line chat app to avoid violating restrictions on campaigning online. The EC will hold talks next week with the operator of Line to seek cooperation and ensure the mobile platform is not turned into a tool for slandering others, he said.
"We're coordinating with all media outlets. Last week we held talks with Google executives about calculating expenses. We're meeting the Line team next week," he said.
He also pleaded for patience as frustration grows over the EC's slowness in designating locations for the installation of campaign posters, saying the EC needs to wait for details. Several potential candidates have already put up election posters, prompting the EC to order they be removed.
Earlier, the commission said the areas permitted for election signs and posters include the premises of state agencies. It said privately owned land and public pavements are off-limits and political parties are not permitted to put up campaign posters until the EC designates the locations.
The EC secretary-general said the agency won't sign a contract for ballot printing until all candidates are registered.
As of last night the EC had endorsed 105 parties.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam warned candidates to prepare the necessary documents to register and ensure they follow all the rules when campaigning.
Chart Pattana said it would unveil its MP candidates this Thursday.
