Regional Monitors In, International Monitors Out for Charter Vote
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer


Graffiti on a buffalo urges no corruption in the 2007 general election in a photo taken by the Asian Network for Free Elections

BANGKOK — A regional election monitoring group based in Bangkok plans to field up to 10 people to observe the August charter referendum, while the European Union will sit it out.

If the political climate permits, the Asian Network for Free Elections will dispatch a limited number of monitors for the vote on the constitution written and promoted under military supervision, a process its executive director warns will lose credibility unless free discussion is guaranteed.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461585221


-- Khaosod English 2016-04-26

Anfrel's referendum observation plan has been approved by Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, Pongsak said.

He suggested the government should allow FREER EXPRESSIONS on the constitution draft to truly achieve democracy after the referendum.

Attasit Pankaew, Thailand Political Base chief researcher, agreed that the rules needed to be devised before interested international watchdogs could make plans.

Attasit, who is also a Thammasat University political science lecturer, commented that it was essential for people to thoroughly understand the complex draft before voting.

Charter drafters and the Election Commission (EC) need to ensure that campaigns on the draft will be FREE OF BIAS, he added.

Interior MINISTER General Anupong Paochinda said yesterday that nobody was allowed to influence other people's votes, adding that they were only allowed to explain the draft charter's contents and encourage others to cast their ballot.

"The Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) would EDUCATE its provincial representatives on the charter draft so they could provide information to the general public.

The CDC will brief five representatives from each province from May 14 to 15 before they TEACH representatives at district levels. Then four district representatives will be assigned to EDUCATE each village, the MINISTER said. A total of 300,000 representatives will be in charge of EDUCATING and providing copies of the draft charter's summary to local people."

General Aupong Paochinda interior MINISTER ousted Thaksin's bother in law PM Somchai Wongsawat in the 2008 judicial coup.

Let the mass Brain washing begin.

I have copied excerpts out of the nation newspaper Thailand article.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Foreign-elections-watchdogs-preparing-for-charter--30284451.html

Edited April 26, 201610 yr by tukkytuktuk

So attitude adjustment for everyone. No need to travel to us. We will travel to you.

Happily of course ☺☺☺

All other "monitors" wear uniform.

I think they should get an internal monitor, to make sure the results are not leaked out before the voting starts.