EC warns of action against campaigns to vote yes/no in public referendum

[webfact]

EC warns of action against campaigns to vote yes/no in public referendum



BANGKOK, 27 June 2016 (NNT) - The Election Commission has warned those responsible for campaigns to encourage the public to vote one way or another in the public referendum on August 7, to beware of legal action.

Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said that some groups of people have been found distributing a sample of the referendum ballot paper with an X marked in the box of their choice, through both online media and physical distribution.

Mr. Somchai warned that such an activity is construed as an attempt to mislead the public who may have the impression that the EC is behind it.

He added that those responsible for activity of this kind are violating the Public Referendum Act while calling for an end to the distribution of such a material.

He went on to say that the EC has identified some movements, which recommend voters simply mark an X without reading the questions, and is worried that the public may be encouraged to pay no attention to the matters being presented for a decision in the referendum. It's feared some voters may fail to acquire a thorough understanding of the referendum process after being mislead in this way.

-- NNT 2016-06-27

[thesetat2013]

If they are mislead because they fail to understand this then they should not be voting on it at all. Their is also some concern that they are telling people to only look at the major items and not the details. This leaves too many unknowns that they are not wanting to disclose openly to the public.

[smutcakes]

Funny, 2 years ago the EC said it was peoples democratic right to block voters now they say people are not even allowed to campaign. Bit of an about turn.

[tx22cb]

The Election Commission's hypocrisy, and the photo of this particular member, make me want to throw up.

[bark]

Control , control , control.

[In Town]

Hilarious. He is the proximate cause of the coup, as his failure to run elections provided the thin excuse rendered for intervention. We will have a referendum, but no one is allowed to talk about it (except Suthep).

[NongKhaiKid]

Will all the members of the uniformed Prayut Youth being out to spread the word about the referendum and the need to vote refrain from hinting how ?

If asked the direction question have they been told not to answer other than by ' it's your vote ' ?

Unlikely !

[yellowboat]

A public debate among interested parties would help the nation make a wise decision. Sadly the junta fears verbal confrontation and questioning . History will not look kindly on this or those orchestrating it.

[The stuttering parrot]

Beware of legal action ?

I think the dissidents of the draft face a lot more than legal action if taken away.

Not a good outcome I suspect.

[Veeke]

Voters should have an opportunity to listen to campaigners and all viewpoints before taking a decision. Curbing campaigns in any guise is blocking freedom of expression.

[klauskunkel]

During the referendum you want the public to be: self-confident and unaffected by influence, astute and understanding political observers, determined to selflessly decide what's best for the country.

After the referendum you want the public to revert to timid and controlled citizens who dare not question or criticize.

"You can't always get what you want." Mick

[elgordo38]

Ah the devil is in the details. They want to sew up the market on misleading voters " no competition wanted"

[Winniedapu]

Oh gawd, Somchai the gargoyle hasn't seen his grimacing picture in the papers for 6 days, He's missing the buzz.

Someone give the guy a pat on the head for goodness' sake, Tell him he's worthwhile.

Because, deep down, he knows he isn't.

Muppet.

Winnie

[jesimps]

The Election Commission's hypocrisy, and the photo of this particular member, make me want to throw up.

Mind if I join you?

[Winniedapu]

The Election Commission's hypocrisy, and the photo of this particular member, make me want to throw up.

Mind if I join you?

Think I will too. I wasn't going to but I accidentally looked at his picture twice this morning. Everything has it's limits...

Winnie

[ggt]

Makes one wonder...has the outcome of the public referendum already been decided? Is all of this bickering and jockeying for position...just eye-wash to keep up the ruse?

[phoenixdoglover]

This EC is a travesty.