{
  "id": 7295228,
  "title": "26 senators among 77 sent to court over senate election case",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/26-senators-among-77-sent-to-court-over-senate-election-case",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T10:08:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Khaosod English",
    "slug": "khaosod-english",
    "url": "https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2026/09/14/26-senators-among-77-sent-to-court-over-senate-election-case/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On 14th September 2026, the Election Commission (EC) in Bangkok announced that 77 individuals, comprising 26 senators, will be tried at the Supreme Court for alleged collusion and offenses related to the 2024 Senate election. The deliberation commenced at 10:00, with all seven commissioners present. A security presence of 200 police officers from Metropolitan Police Division 2 and three local stations was established around the EC headquarters. Public and unregistered observers were barred from the second floor, while registered media and members of the public could view the announcement on screens outside or via the EC's YouTube channel. Initially, 229 respondents were reported, but acting EC deputy secretary-general Lt Col Phasakorn Siriphakyaporn clarified that the investigation encompassed 427 respondents, encompassing seven separate allegations.\n\nThe EC's case file comprises 75,722 pages and was discussed over 11 meetings. Of 610 complaints related to the Senate election, the EC ruled on 593, leaving 17 unresolved. The commission decided not to prosecute any of the 21 respondents for the first allegation, which involved political party executives, MPs, or political officeholders allegedly aiding Senate candidates in violation of Section 76(1). Similarly, the second allegation, concerning candidates allowing politicians to assist them in securing Senate seats under Section 76(2), did not result in prosecution for any of the 140 respondents.\n\nHowever, for the third allegation, involving candidates' self-introductions allegedly breaching EC rules under Section 36(1) in conjunction with Section 70, the EC voted to prosecute 175 respondents. Of these, 26 sitting senators, one individual eligible to vote in the Senate selection process, and 15 others were among the 77 people sent to the Supreme Court. The EC assured that political party executives would not face prosecution under this allegation. For allegations four to seven, involving property or benefits provision, acceptance of entertainment offers, solicitation of benefits, and self-solicitation, the EC voted to prosecute 26 sitting senators, 36 eligible Senate voters, and 15 others, totaling 77 people.\n\nThis decision means that MPs and political party executives have avoided prosecution in the case, while 26 sitting senators face proceedings before the Supreme Court. The EC emphasized that earlier panel opinions were not binding, indicating that different levels of consideration could lead to varying conclusions, serving merely as information for the commissioners' deliberations.",
  "summary": "BANGKOK — 14 Sep 2026, The Election Commission (EC) has voted to send 77 people, including 26 sitting senators, to the Supreme Court over alleged collusion and other offences linked to the 2024 Senate election. The EC began deliberating the case at 10:00 on Monday, with all seven commissioners attending the meeting. Around 200 police […] The post 26 senators among 77 sent to court over senate…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}