Pm To Consult Ec To Ensure Fair Election.

[Lite Beer]

PM to consult EC to ensure fair election;

Poll shows about 77% ready to cast votes

BANGKOK, April 17 -- Reiterating that he would dissolve the House of Representatives by the first week of May, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday he would consult with the Election Commission (EC) on the duty of his administration after the House dissolution to ensure that the election would be “fair to every party concerned.”

Speaking during his weekly TV and radio address, Mr Abhisit said his planned consultation with EC officials is aimed at ensuring every political party in his coalition government does not take advantage canvassing for votes from eligible voters.

Mr Abhisit said he would also assign Secretariat of the Cabinet Ampon Kittiampon to discuss with the EC, responsible for organising election, on embroiling the monarchy into politics, which is inappropriate.

Police are now preparing to take legal action against those who have violated and insulted the monarchy, Mr Abhisit said, adding that he hoped the EC would issue rules and regulations forbidding political parties and politicians from making remarks against the monarchy while contesting the election.

His remarks were made after the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) recently said that at least 18 leaders of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) had allegedly made inappropriate remarks about the monarchy during their rally on April 10.

UDD members on that day held a massive rally in the Thai capital to commemorate the one-year anniversary of a deadly clash with security forces at Khok Wua intersection on Rajchadamnoen Avenue.

The DSI plans to file legal actions against those making remarks deemed offensive to the royal institution.

Stressing that an election could solve several problems confronting the country, Mr Abhisit said he would “present the House dissolution to the king in the first week of May”.

The election is “vital as it would promote confidence among the international community towards Thailand,” he added.

Meanwhile, national police chief Pol Gen Wichean Potephosree said Sunday that he will supervise security operation of police nationwide during the election campaign and on voting day.

Gen Wichean reaffirmed police will not work for politicians as they have to work under the rule of law and the supervision of the Election Commission, while the poll agency itself can order the transfer of any police officer who exhibits inappropriate behaviour out of the polling area.

"I will command police operation myself and senior police officers will monitor groups of suspected gunmen which intelligence reports said are now mobilising as the general election is approaching," asserted the police chief.

Gen Wichean added he will seek cabinet approval to extend the imposition of the Internal Security Act (ISA) for another 30 days in seven districts of Bangkok which will expire April 24.

The police chief said he believes the country will have no further need of the security law after May 24, as the political arena will improve and the election will be held.

In another development, the Dusit Poll conducted a survey among 1,569 people in the country between April 12-16 on their preparedness for the upcoming general election.

Of the total respondents, 77.16 percent said they are ready to cast ballots, another 12.5 percent said they were still uncertain and the remaining 10.34 percent said they are not ready. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-04-17

[Lite Beer]

Poll: Majority of the people are ready for the upcoming election

By Sodchuen Limkriangkrai.

BANGKOK, 17 April 2011 (NNT) - Suan Dusit Poll of Suan Dusit Rajabhat University conducted a survey nationwide on the people’s readiness for the upcoming election. Results showed that more than 77 percent of the people were ready to come out and cast their votes

The survey was conducted amongst 1,569 people nationwide during April 12-16 on the people’s readiness for the upcoming election.

The survey results showed that majority of the people or 77.16 percent of the respondants said they were likely to come out and vote, 12.50 percent were not sure, whereas 10.34 percent said they were not ready for the election.

When asked about the negetive factors that would discourage the people to come out and vote, results showed that 34.47 percent of the respondants said economic problems and natural disasters, followed by 25 percent of the respondants who said social division and the slandering of political parties and rivalries, and 21 percent said various protests were the cause.

-- NNT 2011-04-17