Poll watchdog raises Thai vote-buying fears

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Poll watchdog raises Thai vote-buying fears
-AFP News 2011-06-07

BANGKOK (AFP) - Vote-buying is a concern in Thailand's upcoming national election, an international monitoring group that will be observing the polls said Monday.

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) is deploying about 60 observers nationwide for the July 3 vote, the first since Thailand's deadliest political unrest in decades last year.

Although Thailand officially bars monitors from operating inside polling stations, ANFREL has been allowed to work in the country and this will be the group's fourth Thai election observation mission.

"Of course the concern is slightly increased from the previous election observation concerns," mission director Ichal Supriadi told a press conference in Bangkok, mentioning impartiality and vote-buying as particular worries.

"Vote-buying in Thailand is much more advanced compared to other countries," he said.

ANFREL observers of the last Thai election in 2007 highlighted "vote buying by political parties, electoral violence, intimidation, and disputed impartiality of polling officials," a statement from the group said.

"Having those recent political developments in mind, ANFREL is concerned about the campaign strategies of political candidates, the improper use of money in politics, and possible violence."

Thailand remains deeply politically fractured a year on from street violence that left more than 90 people dead and about 1,900 wounded in clashes between opposition protesters and armed forces.

The upcoming vote is set to be a close fight pitting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's establishment-backed Democrat Party against allies of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.

Thaksin's youngest sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, is the main opposition Puea Thai party's candidate for premier.

Parties linked to Thaksin have won the most seats in the past four elections, but the results of the last two were reversed by the courts, and observers say history could repeat itself if Yingluck's party triumphs.

"The acceptance of democratically achieved election results by both political parties and voters will be of importance to ensure the integrity of the process," ANFREL said.