If Everyone Votes, Poll Result Will Be Fair Enough

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

If everyone votes, poll result will be fair enough

By The Nation

Although there are no perfect candidates or parties, all eligible voters should take part in the election, even if it is just to register a 'no' vote

Public sentiment is mixed in the run-up to the July 3 general election. Some groups are still angry over last year's political unrest and rioting that led to scores of deaths and damage to property. They put the blame on the political parties they believe to be behind the violence and losses - the instigators and financiers of unrest on one side and the politicians in power that ordered dispersal of the protest on the other side.

This group of voters certainly will not vote for the party they believe to be the cause of the violence and the loss of life. They will vote for "the other side" that they believe acts more responsibly and reasonably, is more democratic, and makes a better government.

They cannot be blamed for seeing things differently. The contrasting information obtained from those involved - red-shirt protesters, government figures, journalists, security officers, witnesses and observers - has failed to provide the big picture. So these voters choose to believe the side they find to be more credible.

Credibility is important. Politicians who seem credible have a better chance of winning an election. That explains why politicians are serious about projecting a good image and reputation - real or fictional. The Pheu Thai and Democrat parties have blamed each other for last year's violence. These parties are the main rivals and it depends now on the voters to determine which is more credible.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - in exile overseas, fleeing imprisonment for conflict of interest - is another factor in this election. There are people who like to love him and those who hate him. Those who want him to get amnesty are likely to vote for Pheu Thai, and those who do not want it will vote for other parties, mainly the Democrats, who oppose amnesty for banned politicians.

There is another group - mainly the yellow shirts from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) - who view the present crop of politicians and political parties as good for nothing. The PAD is campaigning for eligible voters to vote "no" to all parties and candidates. There may be a number of voters who agree with this idea, although others may be left wondering if this is a good form of protest.

In addition, there is also a big group of eligible voters who have been silent about their political views and their preferred candidates and parties. Recent public opinion polls show that between a third and a little over half of eligible voters surveyed say they still have not made a decision on which party they will vote for. This large group of respondents could include people who actually have a preferred party in mind but do not want to tell the pollsters.

However, some voters will not base their decision on what they view as right or wrong, or which party they think is better able to run the country. These voters will be influenced by financial offers and the rural figures who act as canvassers for candidates. There are also people who have become so fed up with politics that they plan not to go to the polls, and those who are too busy or see no good reason to vote.

Casting a ballot is a vital part of democracy. The larger the voter turnout, the more reliable the election result. Thus, it is a good idea for all those eligible to exercise their voting right, even though detractors often argue that the brief moment you enjoy in marking your ballot is useless and unable to prevent bad people from entering Parliament. But if we are sure we are making the best choice, that certainly is a good thing for our democratic development - which is still far from perfect.

When there are no flawless individuals or political parties to vote for, it is sensible for voters to pick those with, in their opinion, the least flaws. But they also have the right to tick the "no" box if they think that will make things better for Thai politics.

Realistically, there are no flawless candidates or parties in Thailand - or anywhere in the world. In a representative democracy, we - as voters - elect the candidates who are selected by political parties for our constituencies, and we vote for the registered parties that apply to contest the party-list system. Many voters will have difficulty choosing between these imperfect candidates. But no matter how big the dilemma, voters must go to the polls on July 3 and make the choice they think is best for themselves, their constituency, and country.

-- The Nation 2011-06-07

[anterian]

Just an idle thought, if everyone ticked the NO box where would that leave Thailand

[pastitche]

Maybe it is time for Thailand to try a totally different system - anarchy

[nikster]

Never though I'd agree with the PAD but... they're certainly right in this case.

Still the reds are going to win, there seems no stopping it. The reds divide opinion with strong emotions for and against, whereas even Democrats must agree by now that they're actually good for nothing. This is my feeling, and I know many vehemently anti-red people who would vote for anyone semi-decent as long as they're not red, but can't bring themselves to vote for the old guard that runs the Democrats. The Democrats are useless and everyone knows it.

[whybother]

Maybe it is time for Thailand to try a totally different system - anarchy

The reds tried to bring that system in last year. It didn't work too well for them.

[jdinasia]

Never though I'd agree with the PAD but... they're certainly right in this case.

Still the reds are going to win, there seems no stopping it. The reds divide opinion with strong emotions for and against, whereas even Democrats must agree by now that they're actually good for nothing. This is my feeling, and I know many vehemently anti-red people who would vote for anyone semi-decent as long as they're not red, but can't bring themselves to vote for the old guard that runs the Democrats. The Democrats are useless and everyone knows it.

I am guessing 15 Million + Thai voters will disagree with you on July 3rd.