International observers watching closely

General News - Sunday December 23, 2007

RACE TO PARLIAMENT

International observers watching closely

US calls for free and fair elections and a swift return to democratic government

By Bangkok Post and agencies

The country's first election since the military coup will be closely watched by international observers whose main worry is centred on fairness for contesting parties.

The concern was illustrated in a statement issued by the United States yesterday on the eve of polling day. ''The United States looks forward to elections to be held in Thailand on Sunday,'' said White House Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto.

''The people of Thailand deserve free and fair elections that will return a democratic government to office as soon as possible,'' Mr Fratto said in the statement.

Washington ''eagerly awaits the return of democracy to Thailand so that we may resume our close and abiding relationship with this important ally,'' he said.

US and European Union diplomats have said the elections would clear the way for their countries to resume normal ties with the kingdom.

Washington and the EU opted to impose some restrictions on their dealings with the interim government whose prime minister was handpicked by the coup makers after last year's Sept 19 coup.

That included a freeze on military aid from the US and no new policy initiatives from the EU for Thailand.

Human Rights Watch is concerned that the Election Commission would compromise its role in the face of attempts by military leaders to block parties favouring ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from winning the contest.

''Military leaders are manoeuvring to influence voting results and to prevent Thaksin's allies from returning to government,'' said Elaine Pearson, its Asia deputy director, on Friday.

Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda has reaffirmed that the army would be strictly neutral in the election.

Today's ballot casting will be closely monitored by the Asian Network for Free Elections (Anfrel), which has dispatched 37 observers from 15 countries to discourage poll fraud across the country.

The Asian poll watchdog has expressed concern about the understanding of voters on how to vote under the new system designed by the constitution drafters.

''Not everyone understands the changes to the constituency and party-list systems. The risk is that election results will not accurately reflect public sentiment,'' said Anfrel chief Damaso Magbual, basing his statement on interviews of voters by its members.

Bangkok Post