The Election Commission has raised no objections to the European Union’s observer role in the July 3 election. EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond yesterday said the commission was ready to allow the EU to monitor the poll in Thailand since EU member countries also had embassies in the kingdom.
Mr Apichart said the EC had told the EU during a recent meeting that it had no objection to the EU request to send a team of officials to observe the July 3 poll as the commission was confident it could supervise the general election in line with international standards.
Several other groups also wanted to monitor the election; however they had not been formally invited to observe the poll, said the EC chairman. Those groups had only notified the EC about their plans. He said those agencies should carefully study EC regulations and familiarise themselves with the scope of election observation.
He believed the EU would endorse the election outcome. The EC had not signed a memorandum of understanding with the EU on observing the poll and any EU recommendations or conclusions would not be legally binding.
Mr Apichart warned that the EC could issue red cards to candidates even before the July 3 election day.
If red cards were not issued before the election, the EC could still issue red cards within 30 days from the election, he said.
He believed both red and yellow cards would be handed out this time round. EC investigators would get tough with poll cheats. Those found involved in vote-buying or mudslinging attacks would be red-carded and not be allowed to stand in by-elections.
Full Article: Bangkok Post : EC has no objection to EU monitoring poll.