EC downplays rumours of members vying for top job
The Election Commission (EC) has been discussing the idea of rotating all positions, not just that of the chairman, EC commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said yesterday in a move to downplay speculation that members are wrangling for the top position.
Somchai said rotating jobs would boost the commissioner’s capacity, as he or she will be able to work outside their speciality fields.
The EC has also told its internal working group to study a new working style, like that of an election board, Somchai said, adding that the result of the study should be available by next month.
The commissioner’s remarks came after speculation that EC members are vying for the top position and that the agency’s chairman is facing pressure to step down after serving for two years.
On Monday, the chairman admitted that this was the result of an agreement among members when they first took office.
After the EC met on Monday, there were rumours that the EC had resolved to seek the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s opinion on the issue. The NCPO had issued an order barring independent agencies from holding meetings to seek replacements for vacancies – an order that EC chairman Supachai Somcharoen has used to explain why he cannot step down.
Somchai added that EC members and the chairman had continued working as usual and no such letter has been submitted to the NCPO.
