Doubts Over Thai Senatorial Election Raised Amid Possible Manipulation

[webfact]

File photo for reference only.

 

The upcoming Thai senatorial election has raised suspicion of potential manipulation. Concerns about the legitimacy of the voting results were voiced during a panel discussion by Associate Professor Prinya Thaewanarumitkul from Thammasat University’s Faculty of Law, predicting that the July 2 deadline for the Election Commission’s (EC) results is unlikely to be met.

 

This skepticism is due to the convoluted six-round voting process across district, provincial, and national levels.

 

Criticism has also been directed at the EC’s stringent regulations on candidate introductions, as they possibly obscure transparency. Similarly, Ratchaphong Jamjirachaiyakul from human rights group iLaw, warns that these restrictions could increase chances of vote-rigging. Even outgoing Senator Seri Suwanphanon acknowledges the possible threat of election manipulation.

 

In line with these allegations, the EC is investigating potential manipulation in the election process, specifically regarding a website that urges individuals to register as a group for the Senate election. Law-breakers face potential legal repercussions.

 

Picture courtesy: Thairath

 

Furthermore, the EC has advised potential candidates against sharing personal information and political viewpoints online, making clear that this includes social media platforms.

 

Progressive Movement head, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, has previously encouraged his followers to present themselves as Senate election candidates to prevent members close to the existing government from being selected.

Amid these claims, the EC is investigating Thanathorn's website, www.senate67.com which currently accommodates 1,278 registered individuals.

 

The elections at district, provincial, and national levels are scheduled for June, with the results expected on July 2. Approximately 100,000 individuals are predicted to participate in the Senate poll.

 

-- 2024-05-10

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[bamnutsak]

For the record it is NOT an ELECTION, it is a SELECTION.

 

And it will be about as democratic as the sham "vote" on the most recent Constitution.

[digbeth]

6 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

For the record it is NOT an ELECTION, it is a SELECTION.

 

And it will be about as democratic as the sham "vote" on the most recent Constitution.

 

With a poll tax of 2,500 baht that makes it out of reach of most commoners, but cheap enough to stuff with cronies that'll vote for whoever you want

[dinsdale]

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

Criticism has also been directed at the EC’s stringent regulations on candidate introductions, as they possibly obscure transparency. Similarly, Ratchaphong Jamjirachaiyakul from human rights group iLaw, warns that these restrictions could increase chances of vote-rigging. Even outgoing Senator Seri Suwanphanon acknowledges the possible threat of election manipulation.

 

This will all be wiped aside and those who support the status quo will buy their way into a majority, in yet another non-representitive Senate. 

[dinsdale]

2 minutes ago, digbeth said:

 

With a poll tax of 2,500 baht that makes it out of reach of most commoners, but cheap enough to stuff with cronies that'll vote for whoever you want

They will vote for whoever offers the most money. This process stinks of corruption.

[bamnutsak]

28 minutes ago, digbeth said:

With a poll tax of 2,500 baht that makes it out of reach of most commoners, but cheap enough to stuff with cronies that'll vote for whoever you want

 

Correct. And only those who apply - paying the 2,500 baht application fee - are entitled to vote.

 

While applications to stand as a candidate for the Senate will be open to most Thai citizens, only those who apply to be candidates will be able to vote in the election. Candidacy is linked to both area of residence and occupation. Candidates are required to pay an application fee of 2500 Baht (68 USD), which Human Rights Watch identifies as equivalent to “seven times Thailand’s minimum daily wage,” posing a key barrier to achieving an inclusive election process. 

 

Prospective candidates must pass a qualification test related to their occupational field before entering the self-selection process within their chosen groups. 

Voting will take place in three rounds: district, provincial and national. The top 10 candidates from each of the 20 groups will be appointed as senators. For more details on the selection process, refer to the Thai non-governmental organization iLaw.

 

https://www.idea.int/blog/explainer-how-thailands-senate-elections-work

 

 

 

No one can stand and defend this "process" as democratic.

 

 

 

[ikke1959]

Manipulation in Thailand?? Impossible... the rules are being bend as they please to benefit those who benefit from it...

[newbee2022]

Possible Manipulation???

 

It's a joke, isn't it?🙏

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

For the record it is NOT an ELECTION, it is a SELECTION.

It's a scam... 

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

For the record it is NOT an ELECTION, it is a SELECTION

Specifically described as a "Deselection process." 

[mfd101]

It's what happens when you 'revert to democracy' after a military dictatorship but you're still bound by the rules of the dictatorship.

 

The thing about ruling classes is that THEY are good at thinking ahead ...

 

Pathetic.

[Thingamabob]

Possible manipulation. Surely not...?

[spidermike007]

As well they should be cautious and suspicious. The incredibly corrupt, toxic and useless army will likely do nearly everything in their power to desperately attempt to hang onto control. They need to be stopped and the crony senators need to be removed, arrested, or sent into exile. Or at a minimum, they should be tried in a people's court of opinion and subjected to utter humiliation. This goes for them, their spouses, siblings, aunts, uncles, and kids. Reign down upon them a horrific degree of scorn. They have richly earned this. The families  have benefitted from the riches. 

Edited May 10 by spidermike007

[nahkit]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Furthermore, the EC has advised potential candidates against sharing personal information and political viewpoints online, making clear that this includes social media platforms.

So how exactly do the other candidates decide on who to vote for if they can't share any personal information and political viewpoints?

 

Just vote for the one who has a nice name or looks good?

[herfiehandbag]

Voting manipulation - no, it cannot be so!😀

[herfiehandbag]

3 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

It'll be ok as long as they are sympathetic to your best buddy tax-sin Sh!tawat and his cronies, right? 

Here we go again:

 

1) He is not my best buddy, something which I think we established ( with the help of some "moderation") some time ago. My comment made no mention of, and did not reference, either directly or indirectly, Thaksin or his "cronies".

 

2) Yet again you constantly and deliberately misspell his name.

 

3) The fact that you have kept this " allegation" warm on the back burner for so long until you saw an opportunity to make it, again, leads me to wonder if you are conducting a little vendetta - stalking perhaps?

Edited May 11 by herfiehandbag

[metisdead]

Posts using derogatory nicknames or intentional misspelling of people’s names  will be removed.  If you don’t want your post to be removed, spell people’s names correctly.