The former Bangkok MP, Sira Jenjaka, has been ordered to serve one year in prison for participating in the 2019 general election even though he was aware of his disqualification at the time.
On Monday, the Criminal Court determined that he was guilty for running in the election despite being fully aware that he was not qualified due to his previous conviction for fraud by the Pathumwan District Court in 1995, which resulted in an eight-month prison sentence.
The prison term prevented him from participating in elections, as ruled by the Constitutional Court.
As stated by the prosecutors, Sira filed his application to contest in Bangkok’s Constituency 9 on February 4, 2019, roughly five weeks prior to the elections.
It was communicated to the court that he knew very well he was not eligible to register as a Palang Pracharath Party candidate at that moment.
On December 17, 2020, Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, who previously served as the national police chief and was the head of the Seriruamthai Party, submitted a request to the Constitutional Court asking for an evaluation of Sira’s membership as a Member of Parliament. The basis for this action was Sira’s conviction for fraud in 1995, which he argued could lead to disqualification from office.
Subsequently, the Constitutional Court determined that Sira violated the election statute.
Later, the Election Commission initiated legal proceedings against him in the Criminal Court.
On Monday, this court sentenced Sira to one year in jail and barred him from participating in elections for two decades. Later that same day, Sira’s attorney filed an application seeking his provisional release on bail.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).