lonelywombat
April 2nd, 2006, 07:53
Election seen as unlikely political fix
Voters worried about poll aftermath as Thaksin holds out olive branch, urges opponents to recognise outcome
By Post reporters
Voters return again today to the polls in what will be a contest between the Thai Rak Thai party led by caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his opponents urging people to vote for no one to show disapproval of his leadership. Voters last went to the polls 14 months ago. This time around, Thai Rak Thai is standing alone in many constituencies after the three main opposition parties, the Democrats, Chart Thai and Mahachon parties opted out of the contest.
Thai Rak Thai is the only party standing out among 18 parties joining the race for parliament, and only Thai Rak Thai is standing in every constituency.
The People's Alliance for Democracy, the government's critics, have urged voters to tick the box on the ballot sheet saying ''No Vote.''
Candidates who are standing without rivals need to get one-fifth of eligible votes in that constituency to be elected.
The government's critics say if some candidates do not win enough votes, the House will not be able to open. It claims Thai Rak Thai paid smaller parties to field candidates against its own people, so the 20% threshold rule would not have to apply.
The Election Commission said the country has 265 constituencies, eight in Bangkok, where no candidates except Thai Rak Thai candidates are standing.
The EC said there are 27 provinces where all constituencies have only one candidate running in the race.
The Supreme Court yesterday ordered some candidates disqualified. They included six running under the banner of the Khonkhorplodnee party in Ubon Ratchathani, for having been with the party less than 90 days.
Two candidates from the Pattana Chart Thai party were disqualified on the same grounds.
EC officials nationwide are preparing for the poll amid fears by political analysts and veteran politicians such as Sanoh Thienthong that the election would only invite more problems instead of solving political tensions.
Mr Sanoh, who turned from being a strong supporter of the prime minister to a fierce opponent, prayed during his birthday at Sa Kaew province yesterday for the country to pass the political storm safely. In an Abac Poll released yesterday, almost 75% of respondents said they would go to the polls today, up from 57% on March 1.
But half fretted about political problems, up from 44% on the previous survey on March 20. The margin of error is 5%.
''Most people will go to cast their votes but the situation after the election still causes worries and tension. Political tension will stay the same or worsen,'' said Noppodon Kannika, director of the Abac poll centre of Assumption University. On the eve of election day, Mr Thaksin looked relaxed and went out to play golf in the morning. He urged people to cast their votes and called on his opponents to accept the outcome.
He said all parties should respect the results of the vote today, and he was ready to consider his rivals' demands.
''The election is a crucial event,'' he said. ''I would like to see reconciliation among all parties.
''And I will consider all conditions to see what I can do,'' he said, without elaborating.
But Democrat spokesman Ong-art Klampaibul argued the election was not a solution to a crisis which had led to daily protests.
Anti-Thaksin groups yesterday launched new efforts to have their supporters go to the polls and vote for no one.
Somsak Kosaisuk, leader of the Labour Coordination Centre and a PAD leader, appealed in an open letter to workers to join hands and tell their families and friends to tick the no-vote box.
Former student activist Prasarn Maruekhapitak, who leads a business group for democracy, also called on voters to vote ''No Vote'' to express their opposition to Mr Thaksin.
Mr Ong-art called for the EC to watch for irregularities today especially in constituencies where there is only one candidate.
A civic group comprising doctors, lawyers from the National Human Rights Commission and the Network of 30 Non-governmental Organisations against Corruption, set up a hotline to monitor irregularities and receive complaints.
Pongthep Wongwacharapaibul, a member of the Rural Doctors Society which joined the group, said about 6,000 volunteers will be dispatched to poll booths in the areas where only one candidate is standing.
Voters worried about poll aftermath as Thaksin holds out olive branch, urges opponents to recognise outcome
By Post reporters
Voters return again today to the polls in what will be a contest between the Thai Rak Thai party led by caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his opponents urging people to vote for no one to show disapproval of his leadership. Voters last went to the polls 14 months ago. This time around, Thai Rak Thai is standing alone in many constituencies after the three main opposition parties, the Democrats, Chart Thai and Mahachon parties opted out of the contest.
Thai Rak Thai is the only party standing out among 18 parties joining the race for parliament, and only Thai Rak Thai is standing in every constituency.
The People's Alliance for Democracy, the government's critics, have urged voters to tick the box on the ballot sheet saying ''No Vote.''
Candidates who are standing without rivals need to get one-fifth of eligible votes in that constituency to be elected.
The government's critics say if some candidates do not win enough votes, the House will not be able to open. It claims Thai Rak Thai paid smaller parties to field candidates against its own people, so the 20% threshold rule would not have to apply.
The Election Commission said the country has 265 constituencies, eight in Bangkok, where no candidates except Thai Rak Thai candidates are standing.
The EC said there are 27 provinces where all constituencies have only one candidate running in the race.
The Supreme Court yesterday ordered some candidates disqualified. They included six running under the banner of the Khonkhorplodnee party in Ubon Ratchathani, for having been with the party less than 90 days.
Two candidates from the Pattana Chart Thai party were disqualified on the same grounds.
EC officials nationwide are preparing for the poll amid fears by political analysts and veteran politicians such as Sanoh Thienthong that the election would only invite more problems instead of solving political tensions.
Mr Sanoh, who turned from being a strong supporter of the prime minister to a fierce opponent, prayed during his birthday at Sa Kaew province yesterday for the country to pass the political storm safely. In an Abac Poll released yesterday, almost 75% of respondents said they would go to the polls today, up from 57% on March 1.
But half fretted about political problems, up from 44% on the previous survey on March 20. The margin of error is 5%.
''Most people will go to cast their votes but the situation after the election still causes worries and tension. Political tension will stay the same or worsen,'' said Noppodon Kannika, director of the Abac poll centre of Assumption University. On the eve of election day, Mr Thaksin looked relaxed and went out to play golf in the morning. He urged people to cast their votes and called on his opponents to accept the outcome.
He said all parties should respect the results of the vote today, and he was ready to consider his rivals' demands.
''The election is a crucial event,'' he said. ''I would like to see reconciliation among all parties.
''And I will consider all conditions to see what I can do,'' he said, without elaborating.
But Democrat spokesman Ong-art Klampaibul argued the election was not a solution to a crisis which had led to daily protests.
Anti-Thaksin groups yesterday launched new efforts to have their supporters go to the polls and vote for no one.
Somsak Kosaisuk, leader of the Labour Coordination Centre and a PAD leader, appealed in an open letter to workers to join hands and tell their families and friends to tick the no-vote box.
Former student activist Prasarn Maruekhapitak, who leads a business group for democracy, also called on voters to vote ''No Vote'' to express their opposition to Mr Thaksin.
Mr Ong-art called for the EC to watch for irregularities today especially in constituencies where there is only one candidate.
A civic group comprising doctors, lawyers from the National Human Rights Commission and the Network of 30 Non-governmental Organisations against Corruption, set up a hotline to monitor irregularities and receive complaints.
Pongthep Wongwacharapaibul, a member of the Rural Doctors Society which joined the group, said about 6,000 volunteers will be dispatched to poll booths in the areas where only one candidate is standing.