Summonses 'backed by evidence'

DSI INVOLVEMENT 'SPEEDS UP' PROBE INTO 53 SENATORS

- AEKARACH SATTABURUTH

>>The Election Commission (EC) yesterday defended the summonses it handed to six out of 53 senators suspected of vote-rigging in last year's Senate election, saying it has enough evidence to pursue charges against them.

EC chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong says the summons issuing process is an opportunity for them to present evidence and clarify themselves regarding the matter.

After all senators suspected in the case have clarified themselves with the EC, an EC committee and investigators will have 90 days to work on the evidence before issuing an opinion and submitting it to the EC secretary-general, who will take another 60 days to review it, he says.