Thai ombudsman seeks delay in vote for prime minister

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – Thailand’s ombudsman asked the Constitutional Court on Monday to instruct parliament to postpone the next prime ministerial vote and to address the rejected re-nomination for premier of Pita Limjaroenrat, who leads the Move Forward Party (MFP).

The secretary-general of the Office of the Ombudsman said they received 17 complaints objecting to parliament's decision to reject Pita’s re-nomination for prime minister, deeming it a violation of constitutional rights, the Bangkok Post reported.

The complaints were submitted by both members of the public and parliamentarians.

Certain complainants proposed that the Constitutional Court intervene and postpone the parliamentary vote for prime minister until the court can issue a ruling on the matter.

The scheduled voting was set for Thursday.

Consequently, the ombudsman asked the Constitutional Court to suspend the prime ministerial vote in both the House and the Senate until a ruling is made, aiming to prevent potential irreversible damage in the future, according to the secretary-general's statement.

Newly elected lawmakers along with 249 senators were scheduled to vote to elect Thailand's 30th prime minister.

Pita, who is leading an eight-party coalition, failed to get the minimum 375 votes in the first round held last week.