Concerns mount over possible Election Commission block vote

By ThaiDay

14 August 2006

Alluding to a possible block vote by the Senate, Chat Thai Acting Deputy Leader Chuwit Kamolvisit yesterday preempted final selection for the new Election Commission (EC), claiming he knew exactly which five candidates would be successful.

The massage parlour tycoon turned politician drew up two lists of names, with one comprising critics of the ruling Thai Rak Thai party, whom he said would not make the cut.

“People think there will be a block vote during the final vote by the Senate,” Chuwit, pictured, told a news conference.

“To illustrate this situation in the most simple way everyone can see, one list includes those who will be elected, the other, those who won’t.”

He added: “We know who stands on which side.”

The first list included Wicha Mahakhun, Apichart Sukhakkhanon, Udom Fuangfung, Somchai Juengpresart and Sumet Upanisakorn, with Wasant Sroypisut, Prapan Naikowit, Kaewsan Atibodhi, Nam Yimyaem and Sodsri Satayathum making up the second column.

Chuwit’s comments came amid wide speculation that the Senate – which has the final say on who will comprise the five-member EC – will try to block critics of the ruling party from gaining a place on the commission.

Outgoing Yasothon Senator Somboon Tongburan last week claimed cash was paid to senators before key votes to appoint members of panels supposed to be independent, comments which Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua said were “not constructive.”

Opposition Democrat Party Spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon said block voting was a common practice in the past and urged the Senate to play by the rules this time round.

The EC has to be in place by August 24, ahead of the October 15 polls.

The selection process was delayed by the refusal of the three former commissioners to resign after the botched April 2 elections.

The Criminal Court last month sentenced the trio to four years in jail for malfeasance in the elections.

Chuwit said the new Election Commission will not have enough time to organize free and fair polls.

“They’re not magicians,” he said. “They are unable to make everything clear free of problems in the space of just a month.”

Former TRT rebel Sanoh Thienthong said the election should be delayed until December to ensure there was no repeat of the annulled April 2 polls.

“The new EC needs more time to make the election free, fair and transparent,” he said.

“If the October election goes ahead it will be riddled with corruption and scandals, even more than the last one was.”

Others agreed that a failure to postpone the polls would create an opportunity for irregularities to take place.

Outgoing Bangkok Senator Seri Suwannabhanon said: “An October election would cause the country more damage that the whole political turmoil over the last six months.”

Thai Day