Prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat’s suspension from parliament should not affect his nomination for PM, party says.
The court agreed to hear a case that centres on his ownership of shares in a media company that has not broadcast since 2007. Members of parliament are prohibited under Thai law from owning stock in media companies.
Thailand’s high court said on Wednesday that it had voted 7-2 in favour of considering an Election Committee petition, saying Pita “must suspend his role from July 19, until the constitutional court has made the decision”.
Pita, who was due to contest a parliamentary vote on the premiership on Wednesday, has argued his ownership of shares in a media company was not a violation of election rules. He has 15 days to respond, the court said in a statement.
Pita’s election-winning Move Forward Party said the suspension ruling by the court should not affect Pita’s nomination for the prime ministerial vote on Wednesday, which rival politicians had been seeking to block him from.
According to Thai law, 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.
More to follow soon.