Road to restore democracy today

About 45.6 million voters countrywide are called to cast ballots in the first national referendum to approve the draft constitution of the junta-installed Constitution Drafting Assembly.

Some people are optimistic that peace still has a chance in this country if the draft is approved, which would lead to a general election.

However, some believe an ongoing conflict would get worse if the voters' majority reject what the junta tries to give them.

Interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont called on his compatriots to vote according to their conscience, though with a promise that a general election would "definitely" take place this year if the constitution draft passes the referendum.

Hence it will pave the way for a general election some time in the middle of December, and the installation of a civilian government early next year.

The government and the military leadership have worked hard to mobilise the public opinion to support the draft. They have focused their campaign on the grass-roots voters in the North and the Northeast, which remains the stronghold of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin's supporters and pro-democracy activists have campaigned furiously to reject the draft, arguing that a "Yes" vote would mean acceptance of the military coup.

If the draft constitution is rejected, the Council for National Security and the interim Cabinet will meet to select one of previous 17 constitutions to adjust and then ask for royal endorsement to declare it the new constitution.

Here we are. The referendum. The Nation reports, you decide.