Supreme Court clears Boonjong in poll case
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Bhum Jai Thai MP Boonjong Vongtrirat yesterday won an acquittal verdict for electoral fraud, escaping punishment by disqualification and saving his party from disbandment.
The Supreme Court’s Elections Division handed down the favourable verdict on grounds of insufficient evidence to link Boonjong to the campaigning offence.
“I am pleased with my acquittal and look forward to resuming my parliamentary duty,” he said in reference to his job suspension during the trial.
In forming its decision, the high court recognised the Election Commission had ruled to disqualify Boonjong for campaign offences committed on November 19 and 20, 2010 in the lead-up to a Nakhon Ratchasima by-election.
At the time Boonjong resigned his position as deputy interior minister under the Abhisit Vejjajiva government to contest the by-election.
The prosecution argued Boonjong was involved in a seminar held at a seaside resort in Rayong. Some 300 local officials, seen as Boonjong’s vote canvassers, attended the event, which could have been construed as vote-buying.
An organiser, Saipirun Noisiri, was the star prosecution witness to testify against Boonjong.
The high court found Saipirun’s statement contained several discrepancies. It said although the prosecution had shown a video clip depicting participants and panellists supporting a vote for Boonjoing, there was no evidence to directly link him to orchestrating the event to buy or sway votes.
Bhum Jai Thai spokesman Suphachai Jaisamut said the high court had allowed the defence and prosecution to fully present factual evidence and arguments on points of law before deciding not to endorse the EC ruling.
“This is proof the judiciary is a reliable last resort to ensure justice,” he said, expressing relief his party was still intact and safe.
Under electoral law, the disqualification of Boonjong, who is concurrently a party executive, could have led to a mandatory judicial review for party disbanding.
