Thai court reinstates ex-PM candidate Pita as lawmaker

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday reinstated popular politician Pita Limjaroenrat as a lawmaker, who was blocked last year from becoming prime minister over alleged violation of election law.

Pita, who was running for the highest post following last year’s election and was leading an eight-party coalition, failed to secure the minimum 375 votes in an initial round of voting.

Later, Pita vacated his parliament seat upon the orders of the Constitutional Court, which suspended him from the legislature pending an inquiry into his shares in a media firm.

On Wednesday, the court ruled that iTV media company is no longer a media business, so Pita’s holding of shares in the company did not violate the Constitution and the electoral law, public broadcaster Thai PBS reported.

Pita is expected to make a political comeback after being cleared of charges and resume his duty as a lawmaker, according to the report.

Last year, the Election Commission accused progressive Move Forward party leader Pita of holding 42,000 shares in the media company.

Pita's party secured 151 seats in the 500-member parliament last year and now heads the opposition in the parliament.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid