Police on alert for vote-buyers today

By The Nation on Sunday

Published on December 12, 2010

Rewards offered in Korat; EC fears low turnout because of long weekend

The Election Commission is worried about low turnouts in by-elections in five provinces today.

Voting will open from 8am to 3pm today in Bangkok's Constituency 2, Ayutthaya's Constituency 1, Khon Kaen's Constituency 2, Nakhon Ratchasima's Constituency 6 and Surin's Constituency 3.

Prapun Naigowit, the EC member in charge of the operation of elections, said he feared a low turnout as today was a long weekend after Constitution Day on Friday. But the EC expected a turnout of over 50 per cent, he said.

Prapun said unofficial results should be available at 8pm as the vote count would be done at the ballot units.

If there were no complaints, the EC would be able to announce results within seven days.

EC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn, who inspected the preparations for the by-election in Nakhon Ratchasima, said investigators found vote-buying in Huai Thalaeng district. A suspect who tried to convince locals to vote for a candidate was arrested with both Bt500 and Bt100 banknotes.

The provincial EC and police would investigate the matter, which might be transferred to the central EC later, he said.

Nakhon Ratchasima's Public Relations Department publicised an announcement by Governor Rapee Pongbupphakij that people who give tips or information about vote-buying could receive a reward of up to Bt100,000 for cases that yield successful inquiries. They would share Bt100,000 for each vote-buying case.

Separately, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's weekly programme today will be postponed and aired at 8.30pm, after voting in the by-elections closes.

Abhisit, the Democrat Party leader, agreed that the programme broadcast time should be changed from 9am because of fears that airing the show during election time might break the law.

Abhisit and his family plan vote in the Constituency 2 by-election in Bangkok at Sawasdee Wittaya in Sukhumvit Soi 31 around 9.30am.

-- The Nation 2010-12-12

<"Prapun Naigowit, the EC member in charge of the operation of elections, said he feared a low turnout as today was a long weekend after Constitution Day on Friday.">

Don't you just hate it when a long weekend surprises you by jumping out of the blue and destroys your plans? Who would have thought Friday might have been Constitution Day? You would think somebody would make Constitution Day an annual set day so it could be planned for. Oh ... just a minute ... somebody has!

At 100.000 baht a pop I could become a billionaire by turning in the wife's village. (or 6 foot under)

What would be the point in buying votes? Only to be able to recoup the investment by stealing in the future - this country is so transparent - I just love it!!!

good, nobody finished the headline,,,,

police on look out for vote buyers, to find the best offers .... hardy har

What would be the point in buying votes?  Only to be able to recoup the investment by stealing in the future - this country is so transparent - I just love it!!!

Are you insinuating that the candidates knew that their supporters were buying votes? Surely not. 

<"Prapun Naigowit, the EC member in charge of the operation of elections, said he feared a low turnout as today was a long weekend after Constitution Day on Friday.">

Don't you just hate it when a long weekend surprises you by jumping out of the blue and destroys your plans? Who would have thought Friday might have been Constitution Day? You would think somebody would make Constitution Day an annual set day so it could be planned for. Oh ... just a minute ... somebody has!

Deja vu:

The EC didn't have much choice. After disqualifying six MP's new elections had to be held within 45 days. With time needed to arrange both pre-election and election and having to do the elections on a Sunday that left the 5th and 12th of December. To avoid upsetting the celebrations for H.M. the king's birthday it became 12th.

Edited December 12, 201015 yr by rubl

You can't buy votes in Thailand...

(...you can only rent them )

BREAKINGNEWS

Unofficial result of Bangkok by-election expected 8pm

An unofficial result of the by-election in Bangkok's Constituency 2 is expected to be known by 8 pm, the Bangkok City clerk said.

Bangkok City Clerk Charoenrat Chutikarn said the ballot counting should be done by 8 pm.

He said he expected that about 50 voters would come out to exercise their right.

The Nation

Democracy (in)action. Wonderful

You can't buy votes in Thailand...

(...you can only rent them )

You can't buy votes in Thailand...

(...you can only rent them )

on a 5 lease renewable? LOL

BREAKINGNEWS

Apirak beats Pheu Thai candidate in unofficial result

An unofficial result of Bangkok's by-election showed that Democrat Party candidate Apirak Kosayothin overwhelmingly beat his Pheu Thai candidate Pongpisut Jintasophon.

At 5:25 pm when the ballot counting was done by nearly 100 per cent for the by-election in Constituency 2, Apirak got 69,424 votes while Pongpisut got 30,042 votes.

A total of 109,339 or 33.17 per cent of eligible voters exercised their right.

The ballot counting has been done in four districts. So far, counting has yet to be done at two polling stations in Sathon District.

The Nation

Just wonder what the result was in the last election in that particular district.

How will they be on a lookout? The vote-buyers aren't carrying any signs, are they?

How will they be on a lookout? The vote-buyers aren't carrying any signs, are they?

maybe they wear a "look easy to extort cash from" sign

Why today. Payment, if make, will be made the day before.