Thai election commission seeks court ruling to disband Move Forward Party

BANGKOK -- Thailand's election commission (EC) agreed on Tuesday to request the Constitutional Court's order to disband the opposition Move Forward Party.

The decision came after the Constitutional Court in January ruled the Move Forward Party to cease all attempts to amend the lese-majeste law, saying campaigning on the issue had violated the constitution.

"There is sufficient evidence to believe that the Move Forward Party has acted to overthrow the democratic system with the king as head of state," the EC said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The Election Commission has considered and analyzed the Constitutional Court's ruling and has unanimously decided to file a petition with the Constitutional Court to order the dissolution of the Move Forward Party."

The lese-majeste law, or Section 112 of the Criminal Code, stipulates that whoever defames, insults, or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent, or the Regent shall be punished with imprisonment of 3 to 15 years.

The Move Forward Party emerged as the largest party in the lower house of the National Assembly in Thailand's general election last year, but its prime minister candidate fell short of securing the majority support of the parliamentarians.