Diplomatic representatives updated on Thailand’s public referendum on new charter

BANGKOK, 22 June 2016 (NNT) – Representatives of various embassies and international organizations have been updated on the public referendum plan by the Election Commission.

The EC on Tuesday invited diplomatic representatives from 35 countries and members of five international organizations to join the observation process and to get an update on the preparation of the public referendum.

The Election Commissioners have confirmed that the upcoming referendum on the new draft charter, can be seen as a mechanism to encourage public participation and is the key to democracy, while stressing that people’s freedom of expression remains what they have long recognized and respected.

Concerning the Constitutional Court’s review of a clause in the Public Referendum Act, Election Commissioner Supachai Somcharoen said that the referendum process will still continue despite pressure of any type.

During the question-and-answer session, a representative of The Asia Foundation asked about the conditions related to observation of the public referendum; the EC confirmed that any organization is welcome to take part in the process, although it's expected no observers will be allowed to physically be at any of the voting units.


-- NNT 2016-06-22

"the EC confirmed that any organization is welcome to take part in the process, although it's expected no observers will be allowed to physically be at any of the voting units."

They can take part in the process, they just can't witness the fix at the end.

People's freedom of expression remains what they have long recognised and respected!

Eating a sandwich was an expression. A three fingered salute was an expression. Half dozen uni students expressed their opinion .

How did they all work out for you?

Govt: Good morning farangs!

Farangs: Good morning, kap!

Govt: We not hear you and not listen you. Go away!

Farangs: Ok, kap!

Trust the embassies etc haven't been handed the referendum results by mistake.

"the EC confirmed that any organization is welcome to take part in the process, although it's expected no observers will be allowed to physically be at any of the voting units."

They can take part in the process, they just can't witness the fix at the end.

But they can observe the downstream counting?

That might be enough. The man in the street can watch what happens at voting booths before and after his.her own vote is cast, which is what I suspect the UDD will arrange to do now... What's the government going to do? Stop people hanging around and doing nothing, only watching?

That might be a bit hard in Thailand... That's a Thai specialty, look at any murder scene ot traffic accident and ignore the 50% standing around doing nothing who are police.

W

Edited June 22, 201610 yr by Winniedapu

During the Q & A session i wonder if they were asked why criticism is banned and anyone voicing opposition is branded a thug who is passing on false information ?

"the EC confirmed that any organization is welcome to take part in the process, although it's expected no observers will be allowed to physically be at any of the voting units."

They can take part in the process, they just can't witness the fix at the end.

But they can observe the downstream counting?

That might be enough. The man in the street can watch what happens at voting booths before and after his.her own vote is cast, which is what I suspect the UDD will arrange to do now... What's the government going to do? Stop people hanging around and doing nothing, only watching?

That might be a bit hard in Thailand... That's a Thai specialty, look at any murder scene ot traffic accident and ignore the 50% standing around doing nothing who are police.

W

"But they can observe the downstream counting?"

Probably not. Also, without observers, who can guarantee that the ballots that are taken from the polling stations won't be switched on the way to be counted?

The Election Commissioners have confirmed that the upcoming referendum on the new draft charter, can be seen as a mechanism to encourage public participation.

Does that mean it can also be seen as the opposite?

"the EC confirmed that any organization is welcome to take part in the process, although it's expected no observers will be allowed to physically be at any of the voting units."

They can take part in the process, they just can't witness the fix at the end.

But they can observe the downstream counting?

That might be enough. The man in the street can watch what happens at voting booths before and after his.her own vote is cast, which is what I suspect the UDD will arrange to do now... What's the government going to do? Stop people hanging around and doing nothing, only watching?

That might be a bit hard in Thailand... That's a Thai specialty, look at any murder scene ot traffic accident and ignore the 50% standing around doing nothing who are police.

W

"But they can observe the downstream counting?"

Probably not. Also, without observers, who can guarantee that the ballots that are taken from the polling stations won't be switched on the way to be counted?

I am sure activists and UDD will be following the following the vehicles transporting the ballot boxes. They will also monitor any bused in voters as in previous referendum and will be watching carefully for voters intimidation by junta supporters and things like that. These kind of monitoring make the junta very uncomfortable and reasons enough to try keep the UDD away. I sincerely doubt that this referendum will be carried out fair and transparent. UDD is doing a thankless but very necessary job. Got to give them credit.

"the EC confirmed that any organization is welcome to take part in the process, although it's expected no observers will be allowed to physically be at any of the voting units."

They can take part in the process, they just can't witness the fix at the end.

But they can observe the downstream counting?

That might be enough. The man in the street can watch what happens at voting booths before and after his.her own vote is cast, which is what I suspect the UDD will arrange to do now... What's the government going to do? Stop people hanging around and doing nothing, only watching?

That might be a bit hard in Thailand... That's a Thai specialty, look at any murder scene ot traffic accident and ignore the 50% standing around doing nothing who are police.

W

"But they can observe the downstream counting?"

Probably not. Also, without observers, who can guarantee that the ballots that are taken from the polling stations won't be switched on the way to be counted?

I am sure activists and UDD will be following the following the vehicles transporting the ballot boxes. They will also monitor any bused in voters as in previous referendum and will be watching carefully for voters intimidation by junta supporters and things like that. These kind of monitoring make the junta very uncomfortable and reasons enough to try keep the UDD away. I sincerely doubt that this referendum will be carried out fair and transparent. UDD is doing a thankless but very necessary job. Got to give them credit.

Perhaps activists will attempt to monitor as much of the referendum as possible. However I doubt they will be able to cover all locations, soldiers will "protect" voting stations and ballots by keeping non-government observers as far away as possible, and no independent observers will monitor the count. There will be ample opportunity to fix the result.

"The EC on Tuesday invited diplomatic representatives from 35 countries and members of five international organizations to join the observation process and to get an update on the preparation of the public referendum."

That;s interesting. They describe the meeting and what was said. They say how many people were invited.

But they don't say how many actually bothered to turn up...

What can it all mean?

W