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Thai court clears Democrat Party of election corruption

A Thai court yesterday cleared the country's oldest political party on charges of election law violations, sparing it from possible disbandment ahead of crucial December elections.

While clearing the Democrat Party, the Constitutional Tribunal as press time was yet to issue a verdict on separate charges against the Thai Rak Thai party of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that could result in it being dissolved.

"There are no legal grounds to disband" the Democrat Party, a judge read, bringing cheers and chants of "Democrats Fight On" from crowds gathered at the party headquarters.

The court took more than four hours to complete reading the charges and verdicts against the Democrats, and was expected to issue its ruling against Thai Rak Thai later last night.

"Today is the day many of us have been waiting for," Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said. "I want it to be the day that we close the chapter of confusion, stress and strain in the country. From tomorrow on, we have much to do and our priority is to bring back democracy to the country and go forward with the elections."

Thaksin's government was ousted by the military last September after months of political tension. The military will continue to rule the country in tandem with an appointed civilian government until new polls are held.

The court ruled the Democrat Party had not unfairly maligned Thaksin or breached election laws by urging voters to cast a "no" vote -- the equivalent of an abstention -- in last year's elections.

It also found the Democrats innocent of using a smaller party to trick Thai Rak Thai into election law violations, and ruled it had not obstructed a parliamentary candidate from registering in a southern constituency.

A guilty verdict against the still-powerful Thai Rak Thai could result in it being disbanded or its executives being banned from politics for five years. The party could, however, register under a different name.

In London, where he is living in exile, Thaksin urged supporters to remain calm.

"We have to respect the rules of the game. That is, the rule of the law," he said.

Phongthep Thepkanchana, deputy leader of Thai Rak Thai, told reporters party executives remained confident that it would not be disbanded.

Thai Rak Thai is accused of financing obscure parties to run against it in last year's elections, to get around rules requiring a minimum voter turnout in constituencies where single candidates run unopposed.
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