Draft bill on charter poll revised
The Council of State has revised a government-sponsored bill on the referendum in a bid to deter any attempts to mislead voters into rejecting the new constitution, an official said on condition of anonymity yesterday.
"The draft revision is meant to prevent the malicious swaying of public sentiment ahead of the referendum vote," the official said. The revised draft, if approved by the Cabinet, would be forwarded for the deliberation of the National Legislative Assembly. The referendum on the constitution is expected to take place in September. Key revised provisions on the referendum include:- lA ban on the release of opinion survey results, including the exit poll, before the completion of the vote. lA ban on vote buying in any form. lA ban on the sale and serving of alcoholic beverages from 6pm on the voting's eve to midnight on referendum day. lA ban on detaining or coercing voters from casting their vote. lA ban on any activities designed to disrupt the vote. Offenders would face a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine of up to Bt200,000 plus having their voting rights revoked for 10 years.
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