PRE-ELECTION REPORT 1

Observations 10^th -14^th December 2007

Voter views

Though almost all voters are aware of the election and when it will be held, not all

understand changes to the electoral system, particularly voters in more rural areas. Two

changes in particular appear to have confused some voters:

(i) that the numbers assigned to candidates for constituency seats and their parties on

the proportional representation list are not the same

(ii) that for some constituencies you can vote for more than one candidate

Local NGOs and university students are running some small campaigns on voter education,

encouraging people to vote and trying to deter vote buying, but some means used by state

officials seem less effective. For example, heads of villages (phuyaibans) reading out

information over community loudspeakers was considered an ineffective way to educate

people.

Knowledge of party policies is generally poor. This is partly the result of a highly polarised

political environment - candidates felt that it was more important to emphasise whether they

were for or against particular political personalities rather than sell themselves on the basis

of their policies. This has caused some disillusionment amongst some voters who feel that

political debate has become less issue based. In the three southernmost provinces, there was

considerable apathy that politics in general could help solve the conflict.

Vote buying

Recently passed election laws and regulations are not well understood amongst voters.

However, most were aware that vote selling, in addition to vote buying, is illegal and carries

harsh punishments. There is a widespread perception that vote buying is occurring and that

the problem would not be curbed in this election.

Almost all voters were reluctant to report vote buying or other elections violations to the ECT

or police. Cash incentives for information are not effective. Local ECT staff themselves

recognise the fear that people have about speaking out against those who they must live

alongside, particularly powerful individuals (phuyai), doubting that a single vote buyer would

be successfully prosecuted in their provinces.

Some provincial ECTs remarked that certain methods of vote buying are difficult to detect,

such as purchasing phone credit for voters. The transfer of money to party agents well in

advance of the election, before close scrutiny could be paid by the Elections Commission and

another agencies, poses another challenge.

Views about vote buying remain rooted in a patron-client conception of the relationship

between candidates and voters. To quote one candidate in Buri Ram: "This is not vote buying.

It is generosity, helping poor people who have given their time listening to you so that they

can feed their family after spending the day listening to you ... money plays a very important

role in elections".

Expectations were that the distribution of money or in-kind gifts voter would increase closer

to election day, particularly on "barking dog night" (22^nd December).

Campaigning / military affairs

Voters remarked that campaigning by political parties has been much less vigorous this year

than in previous years, partly because of a fear of breaking stricter election laws and

regulations.

Poor outreach by political parties is a particularly acute problem in the three southernmost

provinces, where campaigning is extremely subdued. The ongoing violence has created a

climate of fear within which candidates are reluctant to openly campaign, and which may

deter voter turnout.

While martial law has not been overtly applied to disperse rallies or detain party supporters,

in some districts it has created a climate of fear where freedom of expression has been

curtailed. Some PPP candidates have claimed that they are being closely watched and

targeted by the military, while the party's supporters do not perceive the military as neutral.

Government officials / Election Commission

Allegations have been made by political parties and voters themselves that village headmen

(phuyaiban) and other civil servants are not acting neutrally and would continue to wield

political influence over voters in their villages.

The process of training Election Commission staff is ongoing, "cascading" down the levels of

the ECT, but it is taking place worryingly close to election day itself. Voter lists have been

made public in most areas but ANFREL observers did not such lists in several provinces they

visited. Candidate forums organised by the ECT have generally not been successful, ignored

by key parties and poorly attended by voters. Candidates themselves do not seem to think

that provincial ECTs have the capacity to thoroughly investigate complaints.

Advance voting

The very large increase in the number of voters who have registered to vote in advance,

outside of their home province, has prompted some concern by political parties. In particular,

the process of storing and transporting ballots is not seen as transparent enough, and has

engendered suspicion by political parties of the ECT.