By Thai Newsroom Reporters
THAI LIBERAL Party leader Seripisut Temiyavej has insisted a chief district officer of Lampang be immediately transferred for allegedly canvassing for a certain candidate in the upcoming Saturday’s by-election in the northern province.
Chief district officer Naretvarit Ubonsri was alleged by a group of local villagers of unduly helping Wattana Sitthiwang, the candidate of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party running for MP in Constituency 4 of Lampang.
Naretvarit, the chief officer of Serm Ngarm district, one of the five districts of the contested constituency, had allegedly instructed all local leaders in areas under his jurisdiction to help the Palang Pracharath candidate who is vying against the archrival Thai Liberal candidate, Somboon Klaphachon.
All government personnel ranging from provincial governors and chief district officers to local leaders are prohibited by law from canvassing for electoral candidates either in overt or discreet fashion.
The Thai Liberal Party leader confirmed he would ”take action” by himself if provincial authorities failed to transfer the chief district officer in question as the race to parliament is coming up in the next few days.
However, Seripisut who concurrently acts as chairman of the House Committee on Corruption and Misconduct declined to elaborate as to how he would practically respond to Naretvarit’s alleged partiality.
Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thammanat Prompao has recently paid visits to villagers throughout the constituency in bid to woo votes for Wattana whereas Seripisut has done the same for Somboon.
Both candidates were largely defeated in last year’s general election by the deceased Pheu Thai MP Itthirat Chantharasurin whom they are now intensely vying to replace.
CAPTION:
Top: Thai Liberal Party leader Seripisut talking to the Press. Photo: PostToday
