The system of electing senators is quite peculiar, each citizen can only vote for one candidate. What is your advice on voting for an independent candidate who can offer hope for a functioning checks-and-balances system?

The decision must be based on some principle. You must make sure your choice of candidate stands on the side of the people. At the same time, you should make sure the candidate is able to keep pace with the government system - meaning the Thaksin regime that monopolises politics and businesses.

Will there likely be fewer 'independent senators' elected to the Upper House this time around?

I think there will be fewer. Many independent-minded people in the provinces have already been elected [and by law they can't run for the second term]. Bangkok is an exception as it has a larger pool of people. In the provinces, the campaigns are organised by professional politicians. This is because politicians are aware that senators are valuable to them [if they are on their side]. They call it the 'family Senate' where spouses and family members of the MPs are running for the Upper House. Eighty per cent of the Senate will be dominated by these people. And the 10 per cent or so that are independent will mostly come from Bangkok.

Has the decision by Thaksin Shinawatra not to seek a third term as prime minister affected the senatorial election in a positive way?

It depends on which areas you consider. The fight by the People's Alliance for Democracy had some positive impact, but rural villagers have not changed their mindset yet. They don't even know what the conflict was all about. They wonder if the Bt30 healthcare scheme and cheap loans will still be around now that Thaksin is gone. Not much has changed when it comes to 80 per cent of the electorate.

Are senatorial elections susceptible to vote buying?

Definitely. They pay it during Songkran. In the provinces they can't get votes without paying and the use of state power to woo voters is also on the rise.

What more can be done to strengthen the Senate to make it more independent?

For a start, we have to amend the law on how senators are elected. To divide it like normal MP constituencies and make it more like Lower House elections.

 Senators should represent various professionals and sectors, not just a constituency. We should also look at how we can stop majority voices within the Senate from dominating, if not manipulating, minority voices.

 Society must also become more aware, especially in the provinces [about the role and importance of the Senate]. Some ask why does the Senate have to scrutinise the government. They think of such a role as being adversarial. They don't understand the function of checks and balances.

The existing election process is biased towards better-known and rich candidates, isn't it?

The system is beneficial towards big political parties. The system itself prevents good people from being elected. When election time comes, some canvassers will come to see you and offer you a voting promise - for a price that is. They'll tell you exactly how many votes and in how many districts they can command and how much it will cost you.

 People should have a university degree at least. The Election Commission may have rules and regulations but all these can be side-stepped because crooks don't operate like us. The payments made these days are very hard to detect.