PM FACING “CRISIS OF PUBLIC TRUST”
The same court voided a 2006 general election after finding the arrangement of polling booths compromised ballot secrecy and that the election had been called at too short notice.
It also annulled a 2014 election because voting could not be held nationwide on the same day, after anti-government protesters blocked polling stations in parts of Bangkok and dozens of constituencies in the south.
Those rulings both took place during periods of political tumult that led to military coups in the same year.
But even if the court upholds the election, its ruling could deepen public mistrust of the government and Anutin’s Bhumjaithai, which has faced allegations of corruption and involvement in rigging a selection process for the Senate, which it denies.
While the party faces no immediate legal threat to its hold on power, some analysts say public unease is building and eroding its legitimacy.
“In this case, the government will likely carry on … but it will face mounting pressure from a crisis of public trust,” said Wanwichit Boonprong, a political science lecturer at Rangsit University.
“People may come to feel that those on this side can get away with anything.”
