The Future Forward Party (FFP) is threatening to pursue defamation and computer crime charges against political activist Srisuwan Janya in response to his bid to seek an Election Commission (EC) probe into 11 of its winning candidates.
Mr Srisuwan, who is also secretary-general of the Association of the Protection of the Constitution, lodged a fresh petition with the EC on Monday, asking it to investigate 11 winning FFP candidates over company shareholding violation claims.
He has filed a similar petition against party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.
In his new complaint, Mr Srisuwan said he had checked with the Commerce Ministry's Department of Business Development and found the 11 candidates were shareholders of media or publishing companies and, as such, were ineligible to stand in the March 24 poll.
He cited Section 98 (3) of the constitution and Section 42 (3) of the organic law governing the election of MPs to support his request for an EC probe. The provisions prohibit owners or shareholders of media and/or publishing firms from seeking election as MPs.
Named in his petition were seven party-list MP candidates and four constituency winners.
The party-list candidates are Thanwarin Sukhapisit; Win Suthirachai; Kharom Polpornklang; Woraphob Wiriyaroj; Worakorn Ruetaiwanichkul; Thitikan Thitipruttikul; and Harin Yuwarattanaporn.
The constituency candidates are Nareerat Sukwannarat from Saraburi's Constituency 2; Weerachon Namprakai in Sakon Nakhon's Constituency 4; Piyamet Praneetpolkrang in Nakhon Ratchasima's Constituency 14; and Kalyarat Kittikalayanont in Khon Kaen's Constituency 10.
The 11 candidates yesterday hit back by lodging a complaint with Thung Song Hong police in Bangkok accusing Mr Srisuwan of submitting false information about them with the intent of having them disqualified.
Mr Kharom, one of the candidates, said although the FFP is able to also file a defamation suit and a complaint concerning violation of the Computer Crime Act against Mr Srisuwan, the party won't do so just yet.
The party is now focusing on defending itself against Mr Srisuwan's allegations against it and its candidates under the election laws. If Mr Srisuwan is proved to be wrong, he would end up losing his voting rights and likely face a prison sentence, he said.
Although the names of these candidates still appear in certain media companies' registration records, these firms have already ceased operations or the candidates have already sold their shares, he said, adding the names could still be listed due to some technical problems.
