EC to pursue charges against those who tore ballot with politcal motive
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Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said those intentionally tear up the ballot for political purpose would meet consequence. He cited a case where a political science lecturer who had torn up a ballot, saying that he lost his electoral right for
Cases have been reported in 21 units in 14 provinces, including Bangkok. The action is a crime punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to Bt20,000.
EC member Boonyakiat Rakchartchaoren said people could got it wrong because the ballot has two distinguished parts divided by a line reading “folding line”. He stressed the EC never asked voters to tear up the ballot and the agency had always made clear that there is one ballot with two parts.
Officials at polling stations nationwide have been instructed to make clear that the ballots are not to be torn apart.
