Turnout low for vote reruns in 5 Thai provinces

[webfact]

Turnout low for vote reruns in 5 provinces
THE NATION, AGENCIES



SITUATION MOSTLY CALM BUT ONLY 10.2% OF VOTERS GO TO POLLS

BANGKOK: -- RE-RUNS of the widely disrupted general election opened peacefully yesterday in five provinces, poll authorities said, in the first move to complete a troubled vote that could provide a mandate for a new government.

But the turnout for the election in the five provinces was a very low 10.2 per cent with 9,835 voters turning out to vote.

The five provinces are Phet-chaburi, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkram, Rayong and Petchabun.

The election on February 2 failed to ease the months-long political crisis after anti-government protesters seeking to topple caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra obstructed the vote in many opposition strongholds.

Demonstrators prevented more than 10,000 polling stations from opening, affecting several million people, mainly in opposition strongholds in Bangkok and the South.

The Election Commission said the results would not be announced until voting had been completed in all constituencies as well as in the party-list system, setting a rough deadline of April for their completion.

A total of around 120,000 people were registered in 101 constituencies across five provinces for yesterday's vote, election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn told AFP.

"The polls are going peacefully - everything is under control and there are no problems," Somchai said, adding that a few dozen protesters blew whistles at one polling station in Rayong province.

A trickle of voters arrived at two polling stations early yesterday in Phetchaburi - one of the affected provinces south of Bangkok - according to an AFP reporter, but there were no signs of obstruction of the polls.

Until the full results are announced, Yingluck remains in a caretaker role with limited power over policy.

Under Thai election law, 95 per cent of the 500 seats in the Lower House of Parliament must be filled to enable a House convening session before the appointment of a new government.

The main opposition party, which boycotted the vote, in February lost a legal bid to nullify a controversial election.

Somchai said the EC would invite four political parties to hold talks on Friday in Songkhla to discuss using measures and methods in the five provinces that have proven successful in solving problems that may arise from elections in the remaining provinces.

He dismissed criticism the EC was unable to hold the election quickly in all remaining provinces, reasoning that each province had its own problems.

The EC would allow an election to be held only in provinces that are ready and where the agency was confident polling could be held without violence.

Meanwhile, His Majesty the King yesterday signed a royal decree for a Senate election on March 30 for elected senators whose term expired yesterday.

The candidacy registration for the Upper House election has been scheduled for tomorrow until Saturday, Somchai said.

He said in some provinces, the MP election and senatorial election could be held on the same day, March 30, as the King had endorsed |the royal decree for the Senate election.


-- The Nation 2014-03-03

[edwinchester]

10% is very low. Does anyone know if there is a minimum turnout required?

[dcutman]

10% is very low. Does anyone know if there is a minimum turnout required?

If there is only one candidate running in that constituency, at least 20% of total voters must vote for him/her.

[Ricardo]

I recall vaguely from the 2006 disallowed-election, wasn't it 20%, where only one candidate is standing ?

After allowing for the usual "None-of-the-above" & spoiled-papers, nobody should be claiming 'massive support' or 'an overwhelming-majority' of anything, based on this election's turnout.

[Davidhere]

I recall vaguely from the 2006 disallowed-election, wasn't it 20%, where only one candidate is standing ?

After allowing for the usual "None-of-the-above" & spoiled-papers, nobody should be claiming 'massive support' or 'an overwhelming-majority' of anything, based on this election's turnout.

I'm sure we'll the hear the inevitable "it was a landslide victory" as in previous non-landslide elections.

.

[chainarong]

I think the people have had a gut full and are voting with their feet ,such a low turn out is embarrassing of the participating parties , nobody wants to know them down Rayong way.

[rametindallas]

It seems pretty clear that voters weren't rushing to support the government like in 2011. Will this be a wake-up call to the party in power or will they spin it. I can can hardly wait for Thaksin's supporters on this forum to explain how this is actually a vote of support for Ms. Yingluck, etc..

[ChrisY1]

I understand why people didn't go to vote....there's no-one worthwhile voting for..!

[Yunla]

Why would you pour water into a holey bucket anyway.

Voter apathy is a reflection of the fact that most people don't trust either of the major parties, and that new moderate parties with bold progressive leaders are long overdue and essential.

[djjamie]

It seems pretty clear that voters weren't rushing to support the government like in 2011. Will this be a wake-up call to the party in power or will they spin it. I can can hardly wait for Thaksin's supporters on this forum to explain how this is actually a vote of support for Ms. Yingluck, etc..

They will. They will compare it to England voter turn out or bring up something that happened in history dating back 1000's of years and use that as an argument for this 10%. Or they will simple ignore the facts as they normally do and say 10% is a huge majority considering the ballot was held in DEM strongholds.

If you listen carefully you could probably hear the clicking of about 12 key boards around the country of 12 western UDD supporters googling "10% voter turn out election win" to further their argument.

Prepare to be bedazzled with "facts" from pockets of history throughout time, amazing slight of hand and bewildered by stories that belong in children's fantasy books. The only difference is the UDD supporters are deadly serious when they write what they do.

I am warming the popcorn. Bring it on guys.

[BlueNoseCodger]

Yeh, it's obvious what they were up to.

I pointed out already they chose the districtis with the lowest turnouts to vote, then didn't advertise the new vote.

Endless games from the EC. Sad. I think they're trying to get enough seats below the 95% mark to block a government taking power.

Edited March 3, 2014 by BlueNoseCodger

[Tatsujin]

That's the final nail firmly hammered home . . . this caretaker Govt is on its way out, before the end of this week I would guess. What happens after that will be "interesting".

[virtualtraveller]

If you've got 3% of the voters turning out in some provinces, and several with 10%, regardless of ifs and buts, then you have to concede that any govt resulting from this exercise cannot be truthfully called representative of the 'people' or 'majority'. It was an expensive but necessary exercise to prove to everyone that elections at present are not successful democracy in action. You need the majority to participate in order to validate a result.

[rametindallas]

Yeh, it's obvious what they were up to.

I pointed out already they chose the districtis with the lowest turnouts to vote, then didn't advertise the new vote.

Endless games from the EC. Sad. I think they're trying to get enough seats below the 95% mark to block a government taking power.

Ah... Spin/excuse #1. Next.

BTW, why didn't PT party advertise? They have a well organized get-out-the-vote team.

[BlueNoseCodger]

If you've got 3% of the voters turning out in some provinces, and several with 10%, regardless of ifs and buts, then you have to concede that any govt resulting from this exercise cannot be truthfully called representative of the 'people' or 'majority'. It was an expensive but necessary exercise to prove to everyone that elections at present are not successful democracy in action. You need the majority to participate in order to validate a result.

I see they're putting up marquees where the election for my district was supposed to be. Looks like EC is planning some more 'surprise' polls soon.

[geriatrickid]

The polling took place in districts where the Democrat party is strong.

Considering the past violence associated with the election and the recent drive by shootings, many people were not willing to run the risk of being injured. Keep in mind that the same group that attempted to block the last election is still present and voters have still experienced intimidation and threats that if they went to vote, they would suffer the consequences. When local agitators are sitting outside polling places making a record of who is voting, it is to be expected that people will put their life and safety ahead of casting a ballot.

[smedly]

It seems pretty clear that voters weren't rushing to support the government like in 2011. Will this be a wake-up call to the party in power or will they spin it. I can can hardly wait for Thaksin's supporters on this forum to explain how this is actually a vote of support for Ms. Yingluck, etc..

If you want to buy an election you need voters ready to be bought, clearly there aren't any

[Thaiready]

If you don't Vote....you have no Voice.

[Soutpeel]

Its Sutheps fault he is a fascist you know

[kikoman]

I think the people have had a gut full and are voting with their feet ,such a low turn out is embarrassing of the participating parties , nobody wants to know them down Rayong way.

Why should it be am enbassment on the participating parties, as the Democrats carried 100% of the 50 seat available in those provinces, must be only other party voters then Democrats?

Cheers

[robblok]

The polling took place in districts where the Democrat party is strong.

Considering the past violence associated with the election and the recent drive by shootings, many people were not willing to run the risk of being injured. Keep in mind that the same group that attempted to block the last election is still present and voters have still experienced intimidation and threats that if they went to vote, they would suffer the consequences. When local agitators are sitting outside polling places making a record of who is voting, it is to be expected that people will put their life and safety ahead of casting a ballot.

You mean like in the red shirt villages with total control.

But this is a great victory fort Thailand again no government can be formed.. one more day and the caretaker is gone. Then a month more and the elections are invalid.

People just did not want to vote..

[whybother]

Yeh, it's obvious what they were up to.

I pointed out already they chose the districtis with the lowest turnouts to vote, then didn't advertise the new vote.

Endless games from the EC. Sad. I think they're trying to get enough seats below the 95% mark to block a government taking power.

They advertised on Feb 20 that they were going to have these elections on March 2.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ec-stage-election-march-2-five-provinces/

[whybother]

The polling took place in districts where the Democrat party is strong.

Considering the past violence associated with the election and the recent drive by shootings, many people were not willing to run the risk of being injured. Keep in mind that the same group that attempted to block the last election is still present and voters have still experienced intimidation and threats that if they went to vote, they would suffer the consequences. When local agitators are sitting outside polling places making a record of who is voting, it is to be expected that people will put their life and safety ahead of casting a ballot.

What intimidation and threats have the voters experienced that stopped them from voting?

What drive by shootings have occurred related to elections in these locations?

[Davidhere]

The polling took place in districts where the Democrat party is strong.

Phetchabun is a Pheu Thai Party province.

[Davidhere]

The polling took place in districts where the Democrat party is strong.

Considering the past violence associated with the election and the recent drive by shootings, many people were not willing to run the risk of being injured. Keep in mind that the same group that attempted to block the last election is still present and voters have still experienced intimidation and threats that if they went to vote, they would suffer the consequences. When local agitators are sitting outside polling places making a record of who is voting, it is to be expected that people will put their life and safety ahead of casting a ballot.

What intimidation and threats have the voters experienced that stopped them from voting?

What drive by shootings have occurred related to elections in these locations?

Drive by whistling at one polling station in Rayong..

[Artisi]

It seems pretty clear that voters weren't rushing to support the government like in 2011. Will this be a wake-up call to the party in power or will they spin it. I can can hardly wait for Thaksin's supporters on this forum to explain how this is actually a vote of support for Ms. Yingluck, etc..

Just give the red boiler room typing pool a couple of hours to get their stories straight and nonsense together and they will be here in force claiming an outstanding victory for you know who.

[Artisi]

Why would you pour water into a holey bucket anyway.

Voter apathy is a reflection of the fact that most people don't trust either of the major parties, and that new moderate parties with bold progressive leaders are long overdue and essential.

were both (either) the major parties running, don't think so?

[Artisi]

Yeh, it's obvious what they were up to.

I pointed out already they chose the districtis with the lowest turnouts to vote, then didn't advertise the new vote.

Endless games from the EC. Sad. I think they're trying to get enough seats below the 95% mark to block a government taking power.

Congratulations, first cab off the rank with red nonsense.

[SICHONSTEVE]

The polling took place in districts where the Democrat party is strong.

Considering the past violence associated with the election and the recent drive by shootings, many people were not willing to run the risk of being injured. Keep in mind that the same group that attempted to block the last election is still present and voters have still experienced intimidation and threats that if they went to vote, they would suffer the consequences. When local agitators are sitting outside polling places making a record of who is voting, it is to be expected that people will put their life and safety ahead of casting a ballot.

But the elections were unhindered this time around - I wonder how many 'no' votes there were, meaning that they garnered even less voters than the pathetic turnouts imply!!!

Beyond farcical!!!

[JesseFrank]

10% is very low. Does anyone know if there is a minimum turnout required?

If there is only one candidate running in that constituency, at least 20% of total voters must vote for him/her.

But is this 20% of total voters registered or from total voter turn out ?

If the latter I assume a few MP's have been voted into office by their Mom yesterday.