Thailand: Thailand’s Constitutional Court has temporarily suspended prime ministerial candidate Mr. Pita Limjaroenrat as a lawmaker, delivering its announcement as parliament gathered to determine his chances of assuming the role of premier.
According to the statement,”The court decision came after accepting a case that alleges Mr. Pita, leader of the election-winning Move Forward Party, was unqualified to run in a May 14 election because he held shares in a media company, in violation of electoral rules.” Members of parliament are prohibited under Thai law from owning stock in media companies.
The 42-year-old Mr. Pita lost his initial bid for the premiership in a parliamentary vote last week and needs the backing of more than half of the bicameral parliament to become the next Prime Minister.
Thailand’s high court noted that it had voted 7-2 in favour of considering an Election Committee petition, saying “Mr. Pita must suspend his role from July 19 until the constitutional court has made the decision.”
Mr. Pita, who was due to contest a parliamentary vote on the premiership, argued his ownership of shares in a media company was not a violation of election rules. According to the court statement, the Move Forward leader has 15 days to respond.
The election-winning Move Forward Party commented that the suspension ruling by the court should not affect Mr. Pita’s nomination for the prime ministerial vote.
According to Thai law, Mr. Pita is still eligible to stand as a candidate for Prime Minister, but he must leave the lower house and will be unable to vote.
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