Democrats’ chief advisor suggests CDC extend vote casting hours of elections

BANGKOK, 10 January 2015 (NNT) – The chief advisor of the Democrat Party has met with the Constitution Drafting Commission to discuss his ideas about the election process under the new charter.

Democrat Party’s chief advisor Chuan Leekpai and deputy leader of the party Jurin Laksanawisit have met with Vice President of the CDC Supoj Kaimuk and member of the CDC Pattara Kampitak to share their ideas about the general election.

After the meeting which lasted about 30 minutes, Mr. Chuan said that he and Mr. Jurin visited the CDC to offer opinions based on their real experience in politics.

Mr. Chuan said that he has suggested the CDC consider drafting a law that would make the vote-casting period longer than the usual 8 a.m.-5 p.m. arrangement.

The Democrat Party’s chief advisor added that he also shared some opinions related to the charter drafting, in which he pointed out that past political problems were not caused by a flawed Constitution but by the people who used the country’s highest law in administering the country.

-- NNT 2016-01-10

"The Democrat Party’s chief advisor added that he also shared some opinions related to the charter drafting, in which he pointed out that past political problems were not caused by a flawed Constitution but by the people who used the country’s highest law in administering the country."

That was a 99 mph fastball that is sure to burn some ears.

Mr. Chuan said that he has suggested the CDC consider drafting a law that would make the vote-casting period longer than the usual 8 a.m.-5 p.m. arrangement.

Sounds more than reasonable considering many working people are at work by 8am and don't get off until after 5pm...no chance or hard to get to the polls during their work hours. Opening the polls earlier (like 6am) and letting them stay open later (like 8pm) would be better IMO.

Trouble is they will have to pay their "guards" overtime next time they want (need) to blockade polling stations.

Still they will get it back when their mates are in power...

Given the Democrat's leadership history of blocking voting polls (both 2011 and 2014 elections), I suspect their request for a vote-casting period longer than the usual one-day 8 a.m.-5 p.m. arrangement has ulterior political motives.

Why? Because since the 2007 Constitution, Advanced Voting has been allowed for one week prior to the national polling day for both resident and nonresident voters. The only requirement is that one must be registered for advanced voting.

For the 2011 electtion and 2014 election there were about 2.8 million and 2 million early voters. Advanced voting in 2007 was conducted over two days from 8am-5pm. In 2011 advanced voting was held for only one day from 8am to 3pm. Advanced voting for the 2014 election began January 26, 2014.

What should be more of a concern for Thai voters is being deprived of their constitutional right to vote at all.

"The Democrat Party’s chief advisor added that he also shared some opinions related to the charter drafting, in which he pointed out that past political problems were not caused by a flawed Constitution but by the people who used the country’s highest law in administering the country."

That was a 99 mph fastball that is sure to burn some ears.

yeah, but I don't think he was actually referring to the court's re-definition of the word "and".

An off topic post about polling stations in the Netherlands has been removed.

Given the Democrat's leadership history of blocking voting polls (both 2011 and 2014 elections), I suspect their request for a vote-casting period longer than the usual one-day 8 a.m.-5 p.m. arrangement has ulterior political motives.

Why? Because since the 2007 Constitution, Advanced Voting has been allowed for one week prior to the national polling day for both resident and nonresident voters. The only requirement is that one must be registered for advanced voting.

For the 2011 electtion and 2014 election there were about 2.8 million and 2 million early voters. Advanced voting in 2007 was conducted over two days from 8am-5pm. In 2011 advanced voting was held for only one day from 8am to 3pm. Advanced voting for the 2014 election began January 26, 2014.

What should be more of a concern for Thai voters is being deprived of their constitutional right to vote at all.

Since you have to apply for 'advance voting' I see no reason to have advance voting for more than one day if the 'Election Day' is thought to be long enough with one day.

A concern should be both the 'register for voting' and 'register for advance voting'. Every time there are stories about people not being able to vote because their registration was not up-to-date. Of course to be up-to-date Thai need to register as 'living' somewhere. Then the authorities can make sure all Thai citizens who have the right to vote will be able to vote.

Edited January 10, 201610 yr by rubl