An election is inevitable, but will it be free and fair?

[webfact]

OPINION

An election is inevitable, but will it be free and fair?

By The Nation

 

The junta has given the most precise timeline so far, yet remains hazy over lifting the ban on normal political activities   

Premier General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s announcement that a general election will take place in November next year is welcome, though there is good reason to doubt it will be his last word on the subject.

 

The road map to elections is brandished every time the junta chief travels to a democratic country, most notably during trips to the United States and Japan.

 

He told Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during this first visit to Tokyo in February 2015, that Thailand would hold an election by early 2016. The story had changed by September that year, when Prayut made his first visit to the United Nations General Assembly and told then-UN chief Ban Ki-moon that polls were planned for July 2017.

 

During his trip last week to the United States, Prayut made another pledge, assuring President Donald Trump that the election date would be announced next year.

 

Their joint statement was more specific about the poll date: “President Trump welcomed Thailand’s commitment to the Roadmap, which upon completion of relevant organic laws as stipulated by the Constitution, will lead toward free and fair elections in 2018.”

 

The story changed again when Prayut later met with the Thai community in Washington and told them elections should take place in 2019. That pledge contradicted the projections of junta-appointed legislators who were reading from the road map in the new charter.

 

The ongoing confusion is fuelling hot debate in Thailand over the timeline of the so-called road map to an election, if not full-fledged democracy.

 

It seems that General Prayut, who led a military coup to topple an elected civilian government in May 2014, enjoys paying lip service to this subject.

 

His latest declaration on a poll date energised the stock market with what investors saw as positive news for the economy. The Stock Exchange of Thailand index rose 0.87 per cent to close at 1,706.95 on Tuesday.

 

But while an election would bring the normal conditions on which economic development thrives, it also signals a return to barracks for the ruling military. The top brass, understandably reluctant to retreat from the halls of power, will naturally seek to prolong the inevitable for as long as possible.

 

Yet observers say Prayut’s latest statement is the junta’s most precise schedule to date, having previously declined to offer a clear election timetable, citing factors including a complicated charter drafting process with amendments, the enactment of complex organic laws and arrangements for HM the late King’s funeral, all of which it said had contributed to changes in the planned date.

 

The junta has utilised the delay to forge long-term mechanisms to bind future elected administrations, such as the 20-year national strategy, that will perpetuate its hold on Thai politics.

 

Meanwhile General Prayut’s regular announcements about an election serve as a release for mounting pressure over the military’s extended stay in power, which by modern Thai standards is already long.

 

The junta anticipates pressure for an election will surge following the Royal Cremation late this month. The official end to a year of mourning will see political parties demand the junta ban on their activities be lifted, as required by the Constitution and organic laws.

 

Prayut, in turn, has urged the parties to be patient, announcing that restrictions on their activities would be subject to debate. Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said an appropriate juncture for the recommencing of politics must be carefully considered.  

 

The generals have hinted at a gradual return to political normality in the wake of the Royal Cremation, when parties might be permitted to hold meetings but restrictions on rights such as freedom of assembly and of expression would remain in place.  

 

However, this state of affairs would likely fail the international benchmark for a free and fair election. Announcing a timeline and the lifting the ban on political parties’ activities is not enough to meet that standard. While the rights of ordinary voters continue to be suppressed, no amount of lip service paid by Prayut will succeed in quelling rising pressure for a free election.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30329099

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-10-12

[tomwct]

Not if Thai's continue to sell their votes and corrupt  ^{politicians buy them!}

[Samui Bodoh]

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

The junta has utilised the delay to forge long-term mechanisms to bind future elected administrations, such as the 20-year national strategy, that will perpetuate its hold on Thai politics.

 

Bind future governments to their plans, BUT accept no responsibility for them.

 

“Power without responsibility – the prerogative of the harlot throughout the ages.”

 

[wakeupplease]

not a chance in hell with the current bullS>>>ers around.

[darksidedog]

Given that votes have blatantly been paid for in previous elections, Thailand probably doesn't even know what a free and fair election actually is. With the Press half muzzled and Political groups facing restrictions on meetings and activity, no one in their right mind can realistically expect the next one, to be any different.

[alant]

3 hours ago, tomwct said:

Not if Thai's continue to sell their votes and corrupt  ^{politicians buy them!}

Unlike anywhere else???

[alant]

I would ask for clarification of the constitution that ensures the majority of power stays with the Army with the election being for a minority of the seats available in any governing body. Is this correct?

If so how can it be classed by the international community as free and fair?

 

Thanks for the help.

[baboon]

4 minutes ago, alant said:

I would ask for clarification of the constitution that ensures the majority of power stays with the Army with the election being for a minority of the seats available in any governing body. Is this correct?

If so how can it be classed by the international community as free and fair?

 

Thanks for the help.

It has been well over 3 years now and all we have had so far are a few tut tuts and raised eyebrows. Seems the 'international community' are happy enough being strung along just as long as their capitalists can continue making money. Principles unfortunately seem to be a thing of the past.

[Becker]

An election is inevitable, but will it be free and fair?

 

It doesn't matter. The junta have stacked the system so that any election result is mostly meaningless. And if  a party should try to change the system back to a democratic one the old elite will for the 21st time overthrow the elected government and we'd be back to square one.

[zyphodb]

Well, pretty obviously, the answer is no and no,  for reasons too numerous to mention.....

 

         

[klauskunkel]

will it be free? Yes, the voter will have the free choice to vote or not to vote.

will it be fair? That depends on the weather.

[Geoffggi]

Nothing in Thailand is either free or fair...!!!

[Lupatria]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

An election is inevitable...

...as proven in the last years!

[Media1]

5 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

Bind future governments to their plans, BUT accept no responsibility for them.

 

“Power without responsibility – the prerogative of the harlot throughout the ages.”

 

Eventually the JUNTA will overturned 

They broke international law and a real PM will see that binned and investigate many former and current generals.

In boxing there's a saying. You can run but you can't hide. They will get there day but not the Thai people's money 

[WhisperingJack]

An election is inevitable, but will it be free and fair?

Not a snowballs chance in hell!

Elections are the framework of a democracy and if you look at history it has been shown many times that democracy does not work in an uneducated society.

 

However TIT..............anything could happen

 

[Ceruhe]

Does it really matter? I think people are already placing bets on the next, eh what's the word, military friendly takeover.

[Jonnapat]

Expect to see the usual envelopes passed around as the election nears.

Nobody has the power or will to stop vote buying, that's why it will never be 'free and fair's.The fattest envelopes usually win.

[Get Real]

Fair + Thailand = Dream On

[RichardColeman]

Democracy is the two young thai guys on a motorbike at 2 am - the junta is the parked lorry on the side of the road.

[ross163103]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

 

An election is inevitable,

Really, inevitable(?), pretty strong word to use based on history.

[Eric Loh]

3 hours ago, Jonnapat said:

Expect to see the usual envelopes passed around as the election nears.

Nobody has the power or will to stop vote buying, that's why it will never be 'free and fair's.The fattest envelopes usually win.

There are sufficient laws against vote buying and the EC has the jurisdiction to issue yellow or red cards if vote buying evidence are produced. It is enforcement that is lacking. There are reports of EC commissioners and police at the voting booth turning away from reports of vote buying. Better monitoring and surveillance with more physical and CCTV can reduce vote buying but total elimination is near impossible. 

[JimGant]

Quote

it has been shown many times that democracy does not work in an uneducated society.

As the US realized at its beginning, giving the vote only to white, male, land owners, i.e., those afforded educational opportunities, you pretty much got voters who could think and analyze. Fast forward to today's universal suffrage -- and now with the redneck, fundamentalist, blue collar vote, we get The Donald abomination. Maybe we'll luck out like Thailand, and have a general take over -- we certainly have three excellent ones to choose from. I can only dream....

 

Quote

With the Press half muzzled

The Nation seems to be doing a good job of balanced reporting. Sure, there are areas that are too sensitive to visit. Much of this is in deference to Thai culture. Other areas 'off limits' involve stirring the sedition pot. And we know how that ends up -- particularly when that pot holds a lot of the "uneducated society."

 

[InMyShadow]

Great, elections and back to bombs and brink of civil war and politicians 10 times more corrupt than the junta and the added bonus of doing absolutely nothing to further thailands development but I guess a lot of expats are happy with that.

Hopeful the general runs for office or at least installs a puppet.

[heybruce]

8 hours ago, darksidedog said:

Given that votes have blatantly been paid for in previous elections, Thailand probably doesn't even know what a free and fair election actually is. With the Press half muzzled and Political groups facing restrictions on meetings and activity, no one in their right mind can realistically expect the next one, to be any different.

Reports on the TV forum from some member who states that his wife said that a relative told her she saw money changing hands near a voting location don't qualify as "blatant" vote buying.  I'm sure it happens, no election is perfect, but 'good enough' elections that reflect the will of the voters are acceptable.

 

The 2011 election that put Yingluck in office was internationally monitored.  The sham referendum that "approved" this sham constitution was not.  It remains to be seen if the next election will be.

[heybruce]

Duplicate post. Internet problems.

Edited October 12, 2017 by heybruce

[heybruce]

Duplicate post. Internet problems.

Edited October 12, 2017 by heybruce

[heybruce]

Duplicate post. Internet problems.

Edited October 12, 2017 by heybruce

[heybruce]

30 minutes ago, JimGant said:

As the US realized at its beginning, giving the vote only to white, male, land owners, i.e., those afforded educational opportunities, you pretty much got voters who could think and analyze. Fast forward to today's universal suffrage -- and now with the redneck, fundamentalist, blue collar vote, we get The Donald abomination. Maybe we'll luck out like Thailand, and have a general take over -- we certainly have three excellent ones to choose from. I can only dream....

 

The Nation seems to be doing a good job of balanced reporting. Sure, there are areas that are too sensitive to visit. Much of this is in deference to Thai culture. Other areas 'off limits' involve stirring the sedition pot. And we know how that ends up -- particularly when that pot holds a lot of the "uneducated society."

 

So you think only the privileged should be allowed to vote.  I don't know where to begin with that BS.

 

You agree with the military deciding what is 'off limit' for stirring the sedition pot?  Once again, I don't know where to begin with that BS.

[heybruce]

15 minutes ago, InMyShadow said:

Great, elections and back to bombs and brink of civil war and politicians 10 times more corrupt than the junta and the added bonus of doing absolutely nothing to further thailands development but I guess a lot of expats are happy with that.

Hopeful the general runs for office or at least installs a puppet.

Thailand was not at the brink of civil war, bombs did not and will not, stop under military rule, the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index shows that corruption has increased under military rule and economic growth in Thailand has lagged all other large SE Asian economies since the coup.

 

I could speculate on why you prefer repressive military rule to democracy, but won't do so here.

[Thailand]