Election must be free and fair
Politicians, party leaders and candidates have 52 days to make their case before the public goes to the polls to elect a new parliament on July 3. All elections are important, in many ways. It is not stretching a point to say that the coming polls are one of the most important in recent Thai history. The election comes at a crucial moment. The country is split in an unprecedented fashion along political, regional and other lines. It is absolutely vital that this election must be free, fair and credible to all.
The primary group in charge of this is the Election Commission. The EC, although with different commissioners, made a mishmash of two of the last three elections. It is unacceptable this year for the commission to make even minor errors in conducting the polls. And arguably even more important is that the independent body retain its independence. It will be under heavy scrutiny - from the public, from political parties and from watchdog groups, both domestic and foreign. The slightest tendency to favour a party or a candidate will be exposed, and will threaten the credibility of the entire election. It is a hugely difficult job, but the EC must come out of this campaign and election with full integrity.
There are other groups involved in enforcing a free and fair election but the government will be under intensive inspection. Sad to say, the minister and other politicians at the Interior Ministry already have aroused suspicion. Last week, a senior official believed friendly to the Bhumjaithai Party ordered the transfer of several district officers. The media, including this newspaper, reported that the transfers of the officials would be beneficial to the keystone party in the Democrat-led coalition. It is unacceptable that any party be identified with such crass tactics.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his senior ministers are admittedly serving two masters. On one hand they are partisan politicians, campaigning for votes. On the other, they are charged with enforcing the law and seeing that justice is done.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban is the senior minister in charge of security. These ministers can beat the drums for their party while ensuring the law is upheld; democratic governments around the world do so regularly.
The public should expect no less, and tolerate no deviation.
This raises a red flag, so to speak. The prime minister has already said he intends to try to boost the Democrat cause in the North, and even in the Northeast.
Political parties and their leaders must be clear about this: All Thais have the right to travel and to speak anywhere in the country. That includes Mr Abhisit in the North, the Pheu Thai leader in the South, and so on.
Every party leader and executive worth his or her salt will make it clear to members and supporters that they will not tolerate any breach of free speech. Senior politicians have been physically attacked in the recent past when they ventured into "unfriendly" territory. This cannot be allowed to happen.
Elections are the most public show of the state of a country. Indeed, the world watches. All citizens owe it to the country to conduct the election campaign and voting day with dignity and respect. Cheating must be exposed, violence must be punished - but there is no reason for either.
Politics are an important part of the campaign, but a free, fair election is what will move the country forward.
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