Pheu Thai MP disqualified
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The Election Commission has disqualified Pheu Thai MP Distad Khumprakob on the grounds that he had not been a resident of the Nakhon Sawan constituency long enough.
Under electoral law, a candidate must maintain a residence for a minimum of five years in a given constituency to be eligible to contest elections to Parliament.
EC member Sodsri Satayathum said on Wednesday that Distad, a first-time MP, had lived for less than three years in the constituency before the July 3 elections.
According to the EC ruling, his name appeared on two house registrations, one in Bangkok and another in Nakhon Sawan. He also had two identification cards.
The EC will forward its ruling to the Supreme Court’s Elections Division for judicial review.
Authorities are expected to explain to the high court how and why the Pheu Thai MP had two domiciles and two IDs.
Should the high court endorse his disqualification, Distad is liable to pay back the cost of holding a by-election.
