Peace and unity the keys to success

ELECTION 2007

PEOPLE MUST PLAY A ROLE

Peace and unity the keys to success

ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT

The people have finally been given what they longed for in Sunday's polls _ a transformation from a military-backed government to an elected civilian administration. And although the People Power party (PPP) has been given a mandate to form a government after winning 232 seats in the election, the unprecedented high support for the Democrat party at both the constituency and proportional levels, and with 165 seats, also paves the way for Abhisit Vejjajiva to lead the country if PPP leader Samak Sundaravej is unable to form a coalition.

Many critics are now suggesting that whoever forms the next government will not be able to claim legitimacy simply by the number of votes.

They will have to listen to voices outside the parliament.

After all, it is those political forces outside the party system which toppled the Thaksin Shinawatra government. And half of the coup supporters have now stopped supporting the interim government as they have seen no economic miracles and no change in their daily hardships.

The polarisation within Thai society that was clearly seen after the Sept 19, 2006 coup has now been re-emphasised as the middle class has chosen the Democrats, while the rural and urban poor have chosen the PPP.

After casting their ballots, the voters' duties should not stop at the polling stations. People need to monitor and keep up their surveillance on the pledges and performances of the government and parliamentarians.

The voice of the people should rise as it is already provided in the 2007 constitution that civil society can directly propose legislation if 10,000 signatures can be collected.

Democracy is not only about elections. But elections are a key process in achieving that.

How volatile the democracy will be, the politicians must run the process and civil society must not let them go unchecked or allow any undemocratic forces such as those in military barracks to step in again.

Thai people must learn the lesson that whatever rifts they now have must be solved through the democratic process, instead of letting people outside the democratic system solve it.

From now on, any political forces should also keep in mind the bruises and wounds the country has suffered during the past 15 months. Peace and unity should be the mantra for all individuals across the nation.