More than 20 Thai senators accused of election fraud

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Bangkok, Thailand:  Thailand's Election Commission accused 26 sitting senators of colluding to rig the June 2024 Senate election, a vote-buying scandal that has sparked public protests and potential prison sentences. 

The commission announced it will refer the case to the Supreme Court, targeting individuals among a total of 77 accused figures.

The contested poll marked the first Senate election since a military coup a decade earlier, utilizing a complex three-round system where candidates chose representatives across 20 professional sectors.

Analysts note that many of the 200 resulting senators back Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's conservative Bhumjaithai party.

The Election Commission has a 60-day window to file its petition to the Supreme Court, which will then decide whether to hear the case.

If convicted, violators face severe legal penalties, including up to 10 years in prison per offense, fines of up to 200,000 baht, or both.

The scandal has stoked widespread public outrage, culminating in a protest march through Bangkok organized by the accountability watchdog iLaw. 

Activists are demanding the indictment of all individuals allegedly implicated in broader government investigations.