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Police on alert for vote-buyers today
By The Nation on Sunday
Published on December 12, 2010
Rewards offered in Korat; EC fears low turnout because of long weekend
The Election Commission is worried about low turnouts in by-elections in five provinces today.
Voting will open from 8am to 3pm today in Bangkok's Constituency 2, Ayutthaya's Constituency 1, Khon Kaen's Constituency 2, Nakhon Ratchasima's Constituency 6 and Surin's Constituency 3.
Prapun Naigowit, the EC member in charge of the operation of elections, said he feared a low turnout as today was a long weekend after Constitution Day on Friday. But the EC expected a turnout of over 50 per cent, he said.
Prapun said unofficial results should be available at 8pm as the vote count would be done at the ballot units.
If there were no complaints, the EC would be able to announce results within seven days.
EC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn, who inspected the preparations for the by-election in Nakhon Ratchasima, said investigators found vote-buying in Huai Thalaeng district. A suspect who tried to convince locals to vote for a candidate was arrested with both Bt500 and Bt100 banknotes.
The provincial EC and police would investigate the matter, which might be transferred to the central EC later, he said.
Nakhon Ratchasima's Public Relations Department publicised an announcement by Governor Rapee Pongbupphakij that people who give tips or information about vote-buying could receive a reward of up to Bt100,000 for cases that yield successful inquiries. They would share Bt100,000 for each vote-buying case.
Separately, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's weekly programme today will be postponed and aired at 8.30pm, after voting in the by-elections closes.
Abhisit, the Democrat Party leader, agreed that the programme broadcast time should be changed from 9am because of fears that airing the show during election time might break the law.
Abhisit and his family plan vote in the Constituency 2 by-election in Bangkok at Sawasdee Wittaya in Sukhumvit Soi 31 around 9.30am.