Experts express scepticism over free and fair election

By KORNRAWEE PANYASUPPAKUN 
THE NATION

 

 

AS THE COUNTRY counts down towards the next general election, speakers at a panel discussion yesterday widely held the opinion that a free and fair national vote without the influence of the ruling junta seems unlikely.
 

The speakers at the event entitled “Towards a Free and Fair Election: Situation in Thai Society” said the post-coup government had yet to lift the ban on political activities and by extending its control over the Election Commission (EC) has drawn up an “unfair” system.

 

They called on international agencies to observe the election, which has been tentatively scheduled for February 24.

 

“To be free and fair, there must be equal access to national media, resources, a fair election-supervising authority, as well as political freedom of electorate, candidates, and political parties,” said Sunai Phasuk, Asia Division senior researcher of Human Rights Watch.

 

But as freedom of expression, association and assembly – the main characteristics of a democratic society – remain blocked, Thailand should have other countries coming to observe the electoral process, he said. 

 

 

Sunai was speaking at the panel discussion held at Thammasat University (TU).

 

He was joined by former EC member Gothom Arya, Pheu Thai Party senior politician Chaturon Chaisang, EC deputy secretary-general Matha Silapun and TU political scientist Janjira Sombatpoonsiri.

 

Following the 2014 military coup, democratic countries such as the United States, members of the European Union, Japan and Australia have criticised the junta. They have called for free and fair elections that would lead to the formation of a democratically elected civilian government. 

 

Chaturon said he did not think the upcoming election would be a free and fair one. 

 

The national vote was drawing closer but political parties can’t even communicate their policies to the people, he said. “The bans on political campaigning when the election is drawing near point to a lack of democracy and fairness.”

 

The veteran politician said the government needed to restore freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly as well as lift other bans imposed on political parties. 

 

Gothom, a former election commissioner and peace campaigner, yesterday also called on the EC to help prevent people in power from taking advantage over other political players in the run-up to the next election. 

 

He said that in order to ensure fairness, the junta government must not interfere in the work of the EC. “How can the |EC work if they are afraid of being dismissed from their positions?” he asked.

 

In March, EC member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn was removed from office by junta leader General Prayut Chan-o-cha for “causing confusion” regarding the election date.

 

TU political scientist Janjira said elections are often used as a means to give legitimacy to authoritarian governments and keep them in power. 

 

She said in many countries in Eastern Europe and Asia, authoritarian governments allow elections to take place but influence the results by controlling the election supervising authorities, tampering with election results, controlling the media, and blocking international agencies from observing the voting. 

 

Matha, of the EC, told yesterday’s discussion that the agency was already well prepared for the next election. 

 

“We have found no obstacles in holding the election. And in this upcoming election, the EC has tools that would make it easier for us to work,” he said, referring to a new law that increases its powers.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30357868

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-11-05

"...TU political scientist Janjira said elections are often used as a means to give legitimacy to authoritarian governments and keep them in power. 

She said in many countries in Eastern Europe and Asia, authoritarian governments allow elections to take place but influence the results by controlling the election supervising authorities, tampering with election results, controlling the media, and blocking international agencies from observing the voting..." 

 

The above is precisely the point and certainly the goal of the Junta.

 

The parties really need to decide if they can legitimately participate in the upcoming election; there was always going to be some trouble. The equation is forthright; the Junta will cheat (they always do), but is there enough room (outside of the Junta cheating) to allow for a 'good enough' process? If yes, then by all means participate. If not, then the greatest danger is that the parties participate and the Junta cheats its way to 'legitimacy'.

 

The outcome that must be avoided at all costs is that the Junta cheats its way to some form of 'legitimacy'. Better boycott than allow that. 

 

Hey political parties, it is decision time; you can't participate and then later claim foul; you need to decide in advance. And, should you decide to boycott, you need to make that decision VERY loud and clear to the Thai voting public.

 

 

56 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

The outcome that must be avoided at all costs is that the Junta cheats its way to some form of 'legitimacy'. Better boycott than allow that. 

 

Boycotting an election does nothing to change the result, it allows the the cheats to claim legitimacy by pointing the the margin of their win. It also removed the option of giving the electors a chance to register a protest vote whether or not it is counted. 

At the same time a committee of complete morons also expressed skepticism regarding the chances of a free and fair election.

This is a complete no-brainer: of course the junta will cheat - and cheat massively - in the 'election'. They have form. That is all they do - lie, deceive, oppress, steal and cheat.

 

For God's sake - even to think for a nano-second that there just might be a free and fair election under junta rule is to be more naive than a foetus in the womb!

All this is moot, teetering on deeper rhetoric.

 

Legitimate and balanced government will never exist here until the house in cleansed. 

 

...and yet the debate, discussion, analysis, and general bulls**tery continues on as if any of it will make a difference.

Edited November 4, 20187 yr by zzaa09

Masters of the bleedin' obvious!  Where do they dig 'em up from?  How much did they get paid for attending this junket?  Was there anyone in the audience?

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“The bans on political campaigning when the election is drawing near point to a lack of democracy and fairness.”

who expected anything other than a sham democracy and anything resembling 'fairness' ?

face it, that is the new thailand

I would have thought that the removal of the democracy plaque was a fair indication of Thailands future, all this other guff is just smoke and mirrors.

It doesn't take an expert to see the new constitution is a fix on the election, and not just this one.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

In March, EC member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn was removed from office by junta leader General Prayut Chan-o-cha for “causing confusion” regarding the election date.

Oh, the irony...:

 

I would say that considering the present climate, it is a difficult to even question the situation. So kudos to this event which is voicing the thoughts of those who dare not speak out.

I have the utmost respect for K. Chaturon, and it seems he is acutely aware of the situation. The happenings on the local level are more than depressing.

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Hey political parties, it is decision time; you can't participate and then later claim foul; you need to decide in advance. And, should you decide to boycott, you need to make that decision VERY loud and clear to the Thai voting public.

There are many ways a political party can protest, a boycott now is not the only way.

 

First thing they need to do is legitimacy themselves.

Without campaigning and getting members they represent nobody but themselves. 

Nobody cares about some academic saying he would do everything better but doesnt ike the rules and therefore wont run; its just one person.

But if he had a certain percentage of votes, or 100.000 people supporting him financially, it would make all the difference in the world.

As far as I am aware the ban on political campaigning has not been lifted.

59 minutes ago, cmsally said:

I would say that considering the present climate, it is a difficult to even question the situation. So kudos to this event which is voicing the thoughts of those who dare not speak out.

I have the utmost respect for K. Chaturon, and it seems he is acutely aware of the situation. The happenings on the local level are more than depressing.

 

So why specifically do you have the utmost respect for K. Chaturon?

 

To be honest I have the opposite view, and my reason is that he was the Education minister for several years in the yingluck government. what did he do to improve education / change the goals / change the methodology / improve education in the remote areas / investigate the well known giant rorts with textbooks? The answer is nothing, nothing, nothing, and nothing, and don't forget one important point, the education ministry has massive budgets so funding for change and improvement not an issue.

 

I's also true previous governments did nothing to improve education but chaturon had more than 3 years, he did zero.  

 

 

 

 

If the junta loses as has been foreseen by polls and Sutip,  what is the junta going to do to avoid that? Can the junta afford to lose.   How badly do the childish egos running the country want to be taken seriously at the UN at ASEAN at state dinners at numerous forums ?  This is a gawd awful mess based on expediency and lack of vision.   The next few months will be interesting and probably disappointing.   There is hope of they allow foreign observers.  The UN is conveniently located near government house, as are some of their election observers. 

Amazing

Doc Obvious and his bunch of merry men, on it yet again!

8 hours ago, webfact said:

a free and fair national vote without the influence of the ruling junta seems unlikely

REALLY ... well blow me down

6 hours ago, YetAnother said:

who expected anything other than a sham democracy and anything resembling 'fairness' ?

face it, that is the new thailand

 

No, it would be a continuation of the sham democracy for the last previous several governments. 

 

Yingluck, 'I can't resign, I have to stay and protect democracy', in reality doubtful she can even spell the word let alone professionally debate the subject.

 

Massively reduce the budgets for anti-corruption watchdogs / agencies etc.

 

Try to get a vote for amnesty for her criminal convicted big brother through parliament at 3 am in the morning when Thailand was asleep. Yes such a wonderful example of respect for the tenants of democracy.

 

And yes the whole situation right now is sad and yes the current guys have lost the plot.

Edited November 5, 20187 yr by scorecard

One aspect to ponder , is that can Thailand afford to be a democracy with such an imbalance in wealth.

In the past there has been somewhat of a duality in the reins of power, this has to some extent given brief appearances of democracy and from time to time more grass roots power. Competition at the top has created the necessity to court the electorate in order to achieve legitimacy.

The situation now seems to have changed, in that the consolidation of power has become somewhat a unified monolith, but it still seeks the legitimacy, mostly for international recognition.

As in many Thai scenarios , the end has been confirmed and the means will be put in place to arrive at the pre-decided end point.

wow, scepticism eh?

 

Who'd have thought it?

9 hours ago, webfact said:

But as freedom of expression, association and assembly – the main characteristics of a democratic society – remain blocked, Thailand should have other countries coming to observe the electoral process, he said. 

All that is needed if for the international community including the US to condemn the stonewalling that is making a mockery of an actual free and open democratic election -- but they won't.  The more pertinent question should be "Why are supposedly the freest and most democratic nations in the West ignoring the completely undemocratic constraints placed on opposition parties which aren't pro-junta?"

Relax folks, there will n ever be an elections, wanna bet?

Just now, MaxLee said:

Relax folks, there will n ever be an elections, wanna bet?

Ya. 

I have no doubts whatsoever, that this election will be free and fair. ????

Free and fair ?  Absolutely. ????

9 minutes ago, CALSinCM said:

All that is needed if for the international community including the US to condemn the stonewalling that is making a mockery of an actual free and open democratic election -- but they won't.  The more pertinent question should be "Why are supposedly the freest and most democratic nations in the West ignoring the completely undemocratic constraints placed on opposition parties which aren't pro-junta?"

I'm sure they were watching closely when the Cambodians were having their elections. Not an international peep over those, so it seems to be chocks away.

I love the fact that everyone is left on tenterhooks...this makes for exciting and imaginative (but never sceptical) punditry which in turn leads to healthy debate and the creation of gov't inspired wrapper thongs..sorry, rapper songs,

5 hours ago, cmsally said:

As far as I am aware the ban on political campaigning has not been lifted.

 

I forget.

 

How many are allowed to gather in public in Thailand now?

 

 

 

Edited November 5, 20187 yr by watcharacters