December 31, 2007	Monday	Zilhaj 20, 1428

BANGKOK: Three politicians linked to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra who won seats in Thailand’s recent election have been disqualified for alleged vote buying, the Election Commission said on Sunday.

The candidates from north-eastern Buriram province are members of the pro-Thaksin People Power Party (PPP), which gained the most seats in December 23 elections, the first since a military coup last year. “They were accused of paying voters,” Election Commission (EC) secretary general Suthiphon Thaveehchaiyagarn told reporters.

“The commissioners have decided to withdraw those three candidates’ election rights for one year, and will organise a re-run of the election,” he added. Suthiphon said the three disqualified candidates will likely face legal action and would have to pay for the by-elections in their province, which authorities have 30 days to organise.

PPP will not be able to field any candidates in the three by-elections, reducing their overall number of parliamentary seats.

Three other PPP lawmakers will have to re-stand for their seats in northeast Nakhon Ratchasima province, after the EC ruled that there was possible electoral fraud, but not enough evidence to disqualify the candidates.—AFP