EC member observes Philippine elections

BANGKOK, 10 May 2016 (NNT) – Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn has paid a visit to the Philippines to observe general election processes being carried out in the country.

According to Mr Somchai, the Philippine general elections were held between 6 am and 5 pm local time today. Approximately 54 million people aged 18 and above were eligible to vote while the Philippine Commission on Elections initially estimated voter turnout at more than 60 percent.

Mr Somchai disclosed that a total of 95,000 vote-counting machines (VCMs) were deployed for the elections as they were believed to have the capacity to count votes within one hour after the closure of ballot boxes. Moreover, since Philippine citizens do not hold identification cards, the Commission on Elections issued each voter a special type of ballot which contained his or her biometric information for use during the latest polls.

Mr Somchai elaborated further that the VCMs were obtained by loan from a private company at the cost of 3 dollars or about 100 baht per vote counted. Meanwhile, each voting unit was staffed with five officials from a private firm who had been specially trained for the task.


-- NNT 2016-05-10

Right, so thais can observe voting in other countries but Prayuth says others are not allowed to observe voting in Thailand.

What a farce. Yeah, sure. A pinoy will come to watch the local elections to see how it is "run".

If the elections here are run on the same lines as the free and fairish ones in thePhilippines then the ptb will not get the result they want.

Edited May 9, 201610 yr by Thailand

Right, so thais can observe voting in other countries but Prayuth says others are not allowed to observe voting in Thailand.

Didn't he also ask what other country would allow such a thing? I wonder if he'll mention that he's now found the answer.

I hope Somchai learned that disturbances and even shootings at few Philippines election polling centers should never be an excuse to call Yingluck government to delay an election and worse when he try do everything in his power to stop the election.

As they did in Scotland: they observe in order to do the contrary in Thailand.

But foreign observers are not allowed in Thailand, because there is a difference between polls in e.g. Philippines - or the rest of the world for that matter - and Thailand.

It's like the guy in vault holding you hostage sending out his side kick to observe the legitimate transactions taking place at the bank next door.....what a farce.

It's mind bending when you consider these people are frauds posing as a government.

It's no good pretending their constitution is going to be recognised or election results seen as balanced and fair.

This propaganda of things being business like omits the very nature of their power.

Force.

Military force

Edited May 10, 201610 yr by Plutojames88

But foreign observers are not allowed in Thailand, because there is a difference between polls in e.g. Philippines - or the rest of the world for that matter - and Thailand.

Yes there is a difference: in the Philippines they are allowed to vote. In Thailand they are not.

But foreign observers are not allowed in Thailand, because there is a difference between polls in e.g. Philippines - or the rest of the world for that matter - and Thailand.

Yes there is a difference: in the Philippines they are allowed to vote. In Thailand they are not.

Perhaps the 'landslide' result for Duterte 'Harry', a man known for extra judicial killings who has threatened 'all drug users will die!' (remind you of someone?), together with his bragging about his viagra induced 'orgies' is the reason why Thais will not (never?} be able to vote again. Let's face it, SE Asia does have a tendency to attract these types of individuals, Marcos, Suharto, Pol Pot ..

But foreign observers are not allowed in Thailand, because there is a difference between polls in e.g. Philippines - or the rest of the world for that matter - and Thailand.

Yes there is a difference: in the Philippines they are allowed to vote. In Thailand they are not.

Perhaps the 'landslide' result for Duterte 'Harry', a man known for extra judicial killings who has threatened 'all drug users will die!' (remind you of someone?), together with his bragging about his viagra induced 'orgies' is the reason why Thais will not (never?} be able to vote again. Let's face it, SE Asia does have a tendency to attract these types of individuals, Marcos, Suharto, Pol Pot ..

He sounds a deeply unpleasant character. But that's not the point. The point is that the Philippine electorate can choose, even if they wish so unpleasant a candidate. The Thais cannot.

But foreign observers are not allowed in Thailand, because there is a difference between polls in e.g. Philippines - or the rest of the world for that matter - and Thailand.

Yes there is a difference: in the Philippines they are allowed to vote. In Thailand they are not.

Perhaps the 'landslide' result for Duterte 'Harry', a man known for extra judicial killings who has threatened 'all drug users will die!' (remind you of someone?), together with his bragging about his viagra induced 'orgies' is the reason why Thais will not (never?} be able to vote again. Let's face it, SE Asia does have a tendency to attract these types of individuals, Marcos, Suharto, Pol Pot ..

He sounds a deeply unpleasant character. But that's not the point. The point is that the Philippine electorate can choose, even if they wish so unpleasant a candidate. The Thais cannot.

I understand that but given Thai history they do appear to favour style over substance and practically speaking, who is there to vote for? Political discourse is verboten thus prohibiting any real debate and worthy candidate arising from aforesaid, together with the Sakdina system continuing to cast it's long shadow over Thai society, things aren't swinging 'Westward', which, from my following of the thoroughly corrupt circus that is the US election primaries may not be such a bad thing, or at least no change. I am in no way implying military rule in perpetuity would be better (although some say otherwise), and if this particular bunch had not spectacularly screwed up with it's various pronouncements and attitude adjusting, but had actually done what it said it set out to do, reform, perhaps they might've been a better option. 'Democracy is 5 minutes at a voting booth every 4 years' - Karl Marx.

But foreign observers are not allowed in Thailand, because there is a difference between polls in e.g. Philippines - or the rest of the world for that matter - and Thailand.

Yes there is a difference: in the Philippines they are allowed to vote. In Thailand they are not.

Perhaps the 'landslide' result for Duterte 'Harry', a man known for extra judicial killings who has threatened 'all drug users will die!' (remind you of someone?), together with his bragging about his viagra induced 'orgies' is the reason why Thais will not (never?} be able to vote again. Let's face it, SE Asia does have a tendency to attract these types of individuals, Marcos, Suharto, Pol Pot ..

He sounds a deeply unpleasant character. But that's not the point. The point is that the Philippine electorate can choose, even if they wish so unpleasant a candidate. The Thais cannot.

I understand that but given Thai history they do appear to favour style over substance and practically speaking, who is there to vote for? Political discourse is verboten thus prohibiting any real debate and worthy candidate arising from aforesaid, together with the Sakdina system continuing to cast it's long shadow over Thai society, things aren't swinging 'Westward', which, from my following of the thoroughly corrupt circus that is the US election primaries may not be such a bad thing, or at least no change. I am in no way implying military rule in perpetuity would be better (although some say otherwise), and if this particular bunch had not spectacularly screwed up with it's various pronouncements and attitude adjusting, but had actually done what it said it set out to do, reform, perhaps they might've been a better option. 'Democracy is 5 minutes at a voting booth every 4 years' - Karl Marx.

The only way to break the influence of the Sakdina - which is epitomised by the current regime is to free up political discourse and allow free elections leading to governments untrammelled by "establishment" oversight and effectively - veto.

If that had happened from the beginning of Thaksins political career he may well have been PM for several terms, but effective political opposition would have emerged, and provided candidates sufficiently appealing to the electorate to oust him.

As for Karl Marx, well democracy for all its inherent failings has endured, but Marxism has failed.

Edited May 10, 201610 yr by JAG

But foreign observers are not allowed in Thailand, because there is a difference between polls in e.g. Philippines - or the rest of the world for that matter - and Thailand.

Yes there is a difference: in the Philippines they are allowed to vote. In Thailand they are not.

Perhaps the 'landslide' result for Duterte 'Harry', a man known for extra judicial killings who has threatened 'all drug users will die!' (remind you of someone?), together with his bragging about his viagra induced 'orgies' is the reason why Thais will not (never?} be able to vote again. Let's face it, SE Asia does have a tendency to attract these types of individuals, Marcos, Suharto, Pol Pot ..

He sounds a deeply unpleasant character. But that's not the point. The point is that the Philippine electorate can choose, even if they wish so unpleasant a candidate. The Thais cannot.

I understand that but given Thai history they do appear to favour style over substance and practically speaking, who is there to vote for? Political discourse is verboten thus prohibiting any real debate and worthy candidate arising from aforesaid, together with the Sakdina system continuing to cast it's long shadow over Thai society, things aren't swinging 'Westward', which, from my following of the thoroughly corrupt circus that is the US election primaries may not be such a bad thing, or at least no change. I am in no way implying military rule in perpetuity would be better (although some say otherwise), and if this particular bunch had not spectacularly screwed up with it's various pronouncements and attitude adjusting, but had actually done what it said it set out to do, reform, perhaps they might've been a better option. 'Democracy is 5 minutes at a voting booth every 4 years' - Karl Marx.

The only way to break the influence of the Sakdina - which is epitomised by the current regime is to free up political discourse and allow free elections leading to governments untrammelled by "establishment" oversight and effectively - veto.

If that had happened from the beginning of Thaksins political career he may well have been PM for several terms, but effective political opposition would have emerged, and provided candidates sufficiently appealing to the electorate to oust him.

As for Karl Marx, well democracy for all its inherent failings has endured, but Marxism has failed.

Australian media are playing a Thai student who was arrested and then sexually cavity searched .

Activists being arrested is being shown.

And mention of the Thais observing the elections of Philippine politicians is a beat up given they refuse to relinquish power.

There seems now more comments on Thailand which is good.

We seem to understand

So he went to the Philippines and read a newspaper article with stats about the election?

Why do I get a profound sense of Deja Vu here.

Duterte appears to be a Marcos reincarnation. (without the 'class') Another Ang Bagong Lipunan, or 'New Society' in the making perhaps.

I spent alot of time in the PI, before, during and after the introduction of Martial Law in Sep 1972. The PI was a very dangerous place in these days (pre-SEP72). There was a murder taking place every 20 mins in Manila, I lived there when I wasn't at sea. By the end of the 70s I could see what was coming and I couldn't believe it when they shot Ninoy Aquino, who was returning from exile in the US, as soon as he stepped of the plane! I really thought there would be a blood bath should the Military remain staunch to Marcos during the People Power Rallies. it is the very reason I baled out and switched to the LOS. Which I was regulary visiting, but only for short periods at a time.

Sadly, dashing all hope and expectation, the Philippines slid steadily downhill after they got rid of Marcos. His successors promised a lot and delivered nothing. They just replaced one crook with another.

I know that sounds terrible, but it is true. Given what it has become today it has certainly not improved, Hence, why would they now vote for a man like Duterte for President. It's a testament to what their post Marcos country has become. The Catholic Church has also played a very big part too.

Will we see 'Death Squads' again. Martial Law. The suspension of The Rule Of Law and Habeas Corpus. People disappearing.

For all those who may reckon the Thai Military Junta running the shop here today are bad, you just wait and see what a Philippine equivalent can do. For the Thais. This is still 'paradise' compared to what might happen soon in the PI.

In another thread recently I mentioned that the PI had recently dropped Capital Punishment from their criminal code. Duterte will wind that back, quick smart. And more.

they were believed to have the capacity to count votes within one hour after the closure of ballot boxes

So backwards compared to Thailand.

In Thailand within one hour after closure of ballot boxes the Constitutional Court invalidates the entire election.

Votes needn't be counted at all.

they were believed to have the capacity to count votes within one hour after the closure of ballot boxes

So backwards compared to Thailand.

In Thailand within one hour after closure of ballot boxes the Constitutional Court invalidates the entire election.

Votes needn't be counted at all.

and what do you think will happen when this new dictator gets the gig?

Wait for it.

For if we are to believe any of his pre election rhetoric he is going to make General Prayut look like your benevolent granddad.

BTW Marcos ruled from December 30, 1965 – February 25, 1986.