Still much work ahead

EDITORIAL

Still much work ahead

Thais have once again voted in a free election. They have shown clearly, by their huge turnout and peaceful behaviour, that they want to put the past 15 months of military rule behind them and turn back to the democratic path.

Throughout the election campaign, the calmest, most thoughtful and most peaceful group in the country has been the voters. They have attended the rallies, listened to the candidates and their canvassers, and made up their minds. For the past two weekends, they have gone to the polls in the most responsible manner. Now it is entirely up to authorities to show the same credible attitude.

The political wishes and decisions of the voters should be clear today. Care has been taken to ensure the vote counting was fair and trusted, and it seems likely that accusations of ballot tampering will be rare and subject to proper legal action. Still, the ballot counting is only the first of several actions that remain to be taken between the election and the formation of a parliament and an accountable government. It is vital that each and every remaining step be completely transparent and carefully explained.

Unfortunately, the national political atmosphere remains heavily charged, often partisan and subject to possible manipulation. It is vital that everyone concerned acts as responsibly as voters have done. All officials, including the Election Commission (EC), must be held accountable.

Now that the election is over, it is crucial that all Thais remain engaged in the process. Several important tasks must still be completed before the country gets a functioning government, and there is plenty of time and room for mischief. Votes must be certified, and there will be close results in some areas. The military must maintain its policy of staying out of politics.

And, perhaps most importantly of all, the EC must consider hundreds _ perhaps thousands _ of complaints and allegations of election cheating.

The EC has the constitutional power to decide the election result by how it uses yellow cards and red cards to punish cheating and fraud. It is vital, therefore, that citizens and the media keep an active and careful eye on this process. The public well knows a fair and just verdict on allegations of election cheating.

At every step in coming days and weeks, the EC must be seen to be doing exactly the right thing in every decision it makes to warn or to expel election candidates.

All of this will put heavy pressure on the members of the EC. Their predecessors were drummed out of the EC in disgrace, and charged with various types of malfeasance in court as well as in the decisive court of public opinion. Commissioners agreed to take this heavy responsibility when they were sworn in after the military coup.

Many voters have become cynical about politics in recent months, and some members of the media have indicated they believe the EC, appointed by the military coup as they are, might attempt to sway the election through unfair disqualification of members of certain parties.

Not only the EC must resist such acts. Other groups including the military must abide by the election decision. Even the coup mastermind, Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, has promised to accept the wish of the voters. No other action is acceptable. Any attempt to influence the election results will be held in high contempt by all Thais.

Citizens across the nation, at all levels, also have considerable responsibility. After a peaceful campaign, after composed and respectful rounds of voting, the country now must remain calm, even while staying vigilant.

The election was an important but ultimately a small step on the road back to democracy. Everyone, no matter how they voted, must now accept _ and respect _ the decision of the voters.

Some politicians or partisans may try to incite disorder or even violence. No one should fall for such devious tricks. The country now must look forward. Election results must be verified in a fair manner.

A new government must be formed, and return the military to the barracks. The election should herald a new day in Thai politics, where reason and justice decide future problems.