Thailand: Mahachon Party accuses prime minister of election law violation.

(From Thai Press Reports)

Section: Government and Politics - The opposition Mahachon Party has accused Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of violating electoral laws and has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission to that effect, deputy party leader Akapol Sorasuchart said on Wednesday, The Nation reports.

Akapol said Thaksin violated the election law by promising that all provinces with Thai Rak Thai MPs would get development funds and other provinces could face shortfalls.

He said Thaksin also violated the election law by using government perks such as security officers and motorcades to go on the campaign trail in support of Thai Rak Thai candidates.

The prime minister also committed electoral wrongdoing by having the permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry follow him on the campaign trail, Akapol said.

"The prime minister was making an election campaign speech and the senior official was with him on the campaign stage. The election law bans the holders of political office from ordering permanent officials to help with election campaigns," Akapol said.

Nobody from Thai Rak Thai was available for comment last night.