Ensuring a peaceful poll
Fears of a renewed outbreak of unrest in the wake of the July 3 elections persist despite assurances that the army is putting troops on standby to deter any trouble. Such concerns are understandable, given the volatility of the campaign. But any bad behaviour by the competing parties or their supporters during the nationwide voting or in the political manoeuvring afterward will rebound on those causing it. For the sake of the country, the democratic process must be unhindered and allowed to run its course. Any attempt to subvert it could cause immeasurable damage.
If needed, there are proper avenues for legitimate complaints. The Election Commission exists to deal with poll violations, the courts to rule on constitutional and other legalities and the police to keep order. There will be no need for any group to stage rowdy street demonstrations as a pressure tactic _ a post-election ploy that occurs in some countries while coalitions are being formed but one that has no place here.
While not everyone will be satisfied with the outcome, the July 3 election must provide the way out from the turmoil, hate, stress and and misery of the past three years. The wounds need a chance to heal. This means that the country must stop living in the past and in a world where sponsored protest, greed and rabble-rousing activities consume otherwise productive lives. If legitimate grievances are being ignored by the government then orderly and peaceful demonstrations are justified. But not chaos and bloodshed. That is leaving democracy behind and crossing into the realm of anarchy. Those events shamed our nation and must not happen again.
But that is the future. First, though, comes a final week of campaigning which will provide rival parties with the opportunity to talk about policies rather than giveaways, although word of who exactly will be paying for all these populist handouts and their projected impact on the economy would be welcome. Equally satisfying would be a thorough explanation of the steps party leaders intend to take to stop, or at least slow, the spiralling cost of living, bearing in mind that handouts tend to be inflationary. This has become a source of worry to many people who have listened to vague promises without hearing anything specific.
Then there are the big players in the tourism industry who are still trying to get a sense of the direction a new government's policy might take. A good start would be to stop lumping the tourism ministry in with sport. Their biggest fear is another destabilising outbreak of national unrest that could wreak havoc on the hospitality sector. This uncertainty and fear of political turmoil is a concern shared by local and foreign investors and business leaders alike, as it frustrates forward planning. School leavers and graduates are also hoping that stability will follow this election. They are tired of empty pockets and fruitless job searches and many will be voting for the first time.
Just as in the poll of December 2007, when the now defunct People Power Party triumphed, the party winning this election with the most seats in the absence of an outright majority, must get the first chance at putting together a government. But this is easier said than done. The Pheu Thai Party, if it gains the most seats and needs to form a coalition, will almost certainly encounter challenges from potential partners unless it rethinks its controversial amnesty proposal. Surely no one wants a repeat of 2008, when government became obsessed with a single issue to the exclusion of all else.
Let us hope for a high turnout on July 3 and a result that expresses the true will of the people.
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