EC: referendum ballot tearing incidents in 21 polling units

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EC: referendum ballot tearing incidents in 21 polling units

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission reported referendum ballot-tearing incidents in 21 polling units in 14 provinces.

 

EC deputy secretary-general in charge of election affairs Mr Bunyakiart Rakchartcharoen told the press today of the incidents in Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Chachoengsao, Phayao, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Rai, Yasothon, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi and Chiang Rai.

 

He said that most of the incidents were committed unintentionally because they thought the ballot sheets had to be ripped up in two parts. He, however, pointed out that it would depend on the discretion of police to decide whether the perpetrators should be charged in accordance with referendum law.

 

Regarding the case with Piyarat Jongthep, a Thammasat Univerisyt student and a political activists, who intentionally ripped up a ballot sheet at a polling unit in Bang Na, election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn alleged that the perpetrator was intentional and expected that he would escape punishment in court trial.

 

He, however, cited a similar case involving a professor who was acquitted by the lower court but was sentenced to a fine of 2,000 baht and two-month jailterm which was suspected for a year. In addition, the professor also had his voting right withdrawn, he added.

 

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ec-referendum-ballot-tearing-incidents-21-polling-units/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2016-08-08

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EC to pursue charges against those who tore ballot with political motive

  

BANGKOK, 8 August 2016 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) clarified regarding reports that some voters had tore their ballots in many provinces, stating that most cases were due to misunderstanding. The EC will however press charges against those who tore ballot voluntarily with a political motive. 

At a polling station in Thung Kharu district, Bangkok, a 69-year-old man tore his ballot since he misunderstood that the ballot that has two sections and should be torn apart. He was under investigation regarding his motive, and was initially found that he tore the ballot unintentionally. There were similar reports from other districts and provinces as well. 

The authorities will discuss the cases whether these voters should be prosecuted according to the referendum law or not. 

Under Section 59, those who cause damage to a ballot can be punishable by a fine not exceeding 20,000-200,000 baht and imprisonment for 1-10 years but with no effects on their political rights. 

If individuals are found to have destroyed the ballot from a misunderstanding or without an ill political intent, officials may not seek legal punishment on the offender.

 

-- nnt 2016-08-08

[jerojero]

Now they are mind readers and can pinpoint a person's intent? Sheesh!

[dieseldave1951]

ah democracy and fairness to all 1-10 yrs, 20.000-200.000 baht fine and what is a life worth now a days remind me again????

i can only assume that all those who did not vote were counted as a "yes" vote

[baboon]

The referendum is done. Over. You got what you wanted but you still can't find the magnanimity in your hearts to let a couple of insignificant protests slide? That bodes really well for the future and reconciliation.

[Langsuan Man]

Only in Thailand would they have ballots that had to be torn in order to vote and now they want to try and determine whether or not individuals tore the ballots as a protest or because the EC was too cheap to have two ballots printed for two seperate votes