Thailand fights electoral fraud with call centre (17 Jun 2011)

Thailand fights electoral fraud with call centre
By Channel NewsAsia's IndoChina Bureau Chief Anasuya Sanyal | Posted: 17 June 2011 1910 hrs

BANGKOK: With campaigning in full swing, Thailand's Election Commission is buzzing as well with phone calls coming in about potential electoral fraud. A dedicated call centre for complaints was set up last year, after lack of cooperation during the previous polls in 2007.

Fraud can take many forms and in Thailand, where vote buying has been the norm in the past, there is definite cause for concern. Right now, 46 cases are under investigation.

Phumithak Kongkaew, Deputy Secretary General of Investigation Affairs with the Election Commission of Thailand, said: "(Allegedly), some voters were given money directly when they attended candidates' rallies.

"Some MP candidates' staff photocopied voters' ID cards and (with that proof) were reimbursed by candidates. They then checked their lists and handed over the money."

Other types of complaints are defamation and vandalism of candidate's election posters.

For now, things are relatively quiet at the call centre, but election officials know that a week before the polls and certainly after they close, there will be a dramatic spike in complaints of election fraud. With party rivalry and a close race, it may require extra vigilance.

Mr Kongkaew said: "We've even heard that political parties have been monitoring their rivals closely to see if they are giving money to voters. They've been providing evidence of vote buying when they make their complaint. It helps the centre do its job."

According to Thailand's constitution, even one case of electoral fraud could spell the end for an entire political party. In that case, its not the results at the polls, but what happens afterwards that matters.

-CNA/ac

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[CardinalSinga]

Looks like Yingluck will win by a landslide. Exit polls broadcasts will make it more difficult for her opponents or her own party to "fiddle". But care has to be taken people who wish her ill do not plant "evidence" to make her party or any party for that matter to be guilty of electoral fraud. For the sake of Thailand and the long term integity of this great nation with a proud history of freedom from foreign domination, let no Thai be so unpatriotic as to wish to supplant the people's Mandate.