Activist Srisuwan Janya yesterday called on the Election Commission (EC) to disband the Future Forward Party (FFP) after two of its founders allegedly violated an election law.
In his petition, the secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Constitution said that FFP leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul violated Article 5 of Section 73 of the law on the election of MPs.
Violation of the article -- which prohibits candidates from using deception, coercion, threats or slander to mislead voters -- carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to 200,000 baht. Additionally, offenders will also have their political rights suspended for 20 years, as stipulated by Section 159.
Mr Srisuwan said that Mr Thanathorn deceived the public by stating on the FFP's website that he served as the president of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) for two terms, when in fact he had never held such a position.
According to him, the fact that the FFP's website displayed the information for five months after the party was endorsed by the EC on Oct 3 last year indicated an intent to mislead.
"The FTI counts almost 100,000 businessmen as its members, and its president holds a lot of sway in both the public and private sectors," said Mr Srisuwan.
"FFP leaders advertised false information and deceived the public, which is a punishable offence under Section 159."
The incorrect profile was taken down from the party's website on Wednesday last week.
In Mr Piyabutr's case, Mr Srisuwan said that Mr Piyabutr uploaded a summary of a gathering with voters in Sakon Nakhon province on Feb 16 which allegedly suggests the government looks down on Isan people.
"This is also not true, so Mr Piyabutr also violated Section 73(5)," he said.
