By Thai Newsroom Reporters
THE ELECTION COMMISSION will be summoned for testimony before the House Committee on Corruption and Misconduct over a contentious ban which is currently keeping MPs from helping flood victims in the provinces.
House Committee on Corruption and Misconduct chairman Seripisut Temiyavej confirmed today (Oct. 22) he will summon Election Commission secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee to testify before his panel early next month over the highly controversial regulations issued by the polling agency prohibiting all MPs from handing out relief aid to any flood victims who may happen to be their own constituents whilst all cabinet members including those who may practically perform as MPs in concurrent fashion and other government officials are legally allowed to do so.
The House committee chairman who concurrently performs as top leader of the Thai Liberal Party commented that such regulations are obviously unfair to the people’s representatives, especially those in the opposition bloc, whilst all partisan ministers would considerably enjoy the legal loopholes and harvest popularity among the flood-hit constituents during a run-up to the next general election.
The Election Commission has earlier maintained that the handout of cash or items from the MPs on either side of the House chamber aisle to the people anywhere is evidently tantamount to a breach of the relevant law during a current 180-day period ahead of an election date in case that the House’s four-year term may be fully consumed until the upcoming March.
Nevertheless, Seripisut contended that the polling agency quickly take steps to amend their “incompatible, unfair” regulations to the extent that all MPs join ranks with cabinet members and other government officials to help out all people in trouble no matter if they may be part of the government or opposition.
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Top and insert: Phuket heavily flooded on Oct. 16, 2022. Photos: Thai Rath
Front Page: House Committee on Corruption and Misconduct chairman Seripisut Temiyavej. Photo: INN News
Also read: Call to stop partisan cabinet members from handing out taxpayers’ money
MP sarcastically blasts Election Commission’s curbs amid flood woes
Torrential rain lashes Phang Nga with highway flooded
Severe tropical storm moving in as Phuket remains flooded
Beware of life-threatening disease when walking through muddy water
