The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) agreed with the decision to dismiss Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn and the move will not disrupt the agency's work in preparing for the election, according to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.
He said the sacking of the outspoken commissioner was based on the reasons given in an order issued earlier by the NCPO leader, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
The move will not impact the work of the Election Commission (EC) and does not represent interference in its affairs. It is an independent public agency under the constitution, he said.
According to Gen Prawit, Gen Prayut brought the issue to the attention of the NCPO which agreed with the dismissal order.
In order No.4/2561 published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday evening, Gen Prayut justified the decision, citing Mr Somchai's inappropriate comments and a possible conflict of interest.
Mr Somchai gave several interviews to the media about the procedures and schedule of the general election and his opinions may confuse the public while the EC is paving the way for the poll, Gen Prawit said.
Mr Somchai applied for the position of EC secretary-general without stepping down as its commissioner beforehand, which was seen as a potential conflict of interest.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam rejected concerns that Mr Somchai's dismissal might affect the election roadmap, saying the remaining members of the EC can carry on their role until a new EC commissioner is installed.
He said the issue should not be blown out of proportion or used to stir up trouble.
Asked if Mr Somchai was still qualified as a candidate for the top EC post, he said the EC would make the final call on the issue.
National Legislative Assembly (NLA) president Pornpetch Witchitcholchai echoed Mr Wissanu's sentiments about the EC being run competently despite the power vacuum.
Mr Pornpetch, who is also a legal adviser to the NCPO leader, said there was no need to rush to select a replacement.
The selection process was reset after the NLA recently rejected a shortlist of candidates.
Mr Somchai said Wednesday his candidacy should remain intact despite being ousted from the EC. He declined to comment on the NCPO order.
"I respect the order and I haven't considered taking the issue to court," he said.
He formerly served as a director and secretary of the Open Forum for Democracy Foundation.
Mr Somchai was highly critical of the government after the NLA voted to "set the EC to zero" by removing all of its existing members.
Meanwhile, members of the National Human Rights Commission asked the Office of the Ombudsman Wednesday to forward their petition involving an organic law governing the rights body to the Constitutional Court for a ruling.
