Reserve Senators demand the seven Election Commissioners show courage in deciding the senator vote-rigging case based on evidence from Investigation Committee No. 26, warning against an abnormal rush with the intent to whitewash 13 involved politicians before the new Cabinet takes office.
On 17 Mar 2026 GMT+7 at 10:00, at the Election Commission office, the Reserve Senators led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Kamrob Panyakaeo submitted a letter to the Election Commission (EC), urging them to uphold their honor and the dignity of the institution where they previously served. They called on the EC to bravely adjudicate the senator election corruption case (senator vote-rigging) based on evidence and the findings of Investigation Committee No. 26, rather than relying on the decision of Subcommittee No. 36, which has been revealed to have several members exhibiting political bias. For example, Pol. Lt. Col. Piya Raksakul, Director-General of the Probation Department, was seen welcoming Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul without official duty, raising questions about impartiality. According to EC regulation No. 75, paragraph three, if evidence or reasonable suspicion arises that subcommittee members lack political neutrality, integrity, or exhibit inappropriate behavior, the EC must act within the legal framework. However, the EC has taken no action, effectively neglecting its duties.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Kamrob stated that a new government team is forming, and among the 13 individuals slated for ministerial appointments, their names appear as accused in the senator vote-rigging case, notably including the Prime Minister. Furthermore, there have been signals from Subcommittee No. 36, with a 5-2 vote to dismiss all complaints, while the EC neither confirmed nor denied this. The Reserve Senators are concerned that, given the EC's history and behavior, they might yield to pressure or orders from influential parties who are also implicated. If the EC proceeds hastily, they must explain why the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) evidence was disregarded. Claiming insufficient evidence and dismissing the case could constitute dereliction of duty punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Therefore, the Reserve Senators warn that if the EC decides this case within the next couple of days, it will clearly indicate political bias, warranting close scrutiny of all seven commissioners who are accelerating the case resolution now, especially since they previously delayed the decision despite calls for speed.