MP drawing lots proposal flawed, says EC’s Somchai

By The Nation

 

Election Commissioner Somchai Stisuthiyakorn

 

BANGKOK: -- A plan to have the number for MP candidates in each constituency determined by drawing lots may not efficiently prevent vote buying, Election Commissioner Somchai Stisuthiyakorn said on Monday.

Somchai said that as most vote buying is done through canvassers at the village level, whatever number an MP candidate draws will not obstruct canvassers from lobbying the MP’s constituency.

 

He said the system would also complicate the EC’s logistic procedures.

 

Initiated by the Constitution Drafting Commission, the proposal is set to be included in an organic law on selecting MPs.

 

Politicians and academics are concerned the method will make it harder for voters to understand the election process and lessen the significance of political parties in the election arena.

 

Democrat Party deputy leader Ongart Klampaiboon suggested that the CDC should set goals to prevent election fraud and vote buying, including setting up measures to prevent parties from taking advantage of state authority networks.

 

Preventing election fraud is necessary, Ongart said, as it would stop corrupt political actors from exploiting their authorities to commit further graft.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30323758

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-08-14

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Politicians and academics are concerned the method will make it harder for voters to understand the election process and lessen the significance of political parties in the election arena.

 

"...lessen the significance of political parties in the election arena. ..."

 

Perhaps that would be good?

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Somchai said that as most vote buying is done through canvassers at the village level,

Take out the word 'as' (context remains the same) and that's how Thaksin got in and stayed in.

Upcoming election? Never trust a military junta. There may well be a 'security' situation which 'justifies' more delays. 

Maybe I'm just a cynic. We'll see.

5 hours ago, scorecard said:

Perhaps that would be good?

Only from the perspective of the autocracy that wants an elected government weakened by having to create a government out of a coalition of many minority political parties.

The lack of a strong political consensus that would otherwise come from large political parties will largely disenfranchise a clear and effective government agenda that might challenge the institutions and programs created by the junta to ensure protection from majority rule.