• 
• 

Published on September 15, 2007

The decision came after committee member Praphan Koonmee suggested the Bt10,000 registration fee was too high for ordinary people and would unfairly hinder wider political participation.

"I want to see people at all levels run for office," Praphan told the committee.

The move was unsuccessfully opposed by committee member and election commissioner Prapan Naiyakowit, who argued that as the fees would end up in the coffers of a political support fund to be reallocated to various parties, a reduction in the fee would lead to less funds for the purpose.

The committee, which is reconsidering the organic electoral bill, yesterday approved a stipulation barring anyone from arranging vehicles to take voters to the polls free.

The committee failed to reach agreement on whether to restrict the size and number of campaign posters.

Details of the matter were referred to the Election Commission despite a passionate plea by committee member Narong Chokewattana that a restriction was needed to create a level playing field between big and small parties and rich and poor candidates.

"If we let it continue the way it is, big parties and those with lots of cash will emerge victorious. We should specify how many posters are allowed and what size."

No clear reason was given by other committee members why they opposed Narong's suggestion.

Narong later told The Nation: "I don't get it, but if they don't restrict this I will certainly oppose them during the vetting period by the National Legislative Assembly [NLA]."

The committee, which is under the NLA, also decided to reduce the penalty of parliamentary candidates suspected beyond reasonable doubt of committing electoral fraud from having their electoral rights suspended from five years down to one.

Those supporting the reduction said people who had their electoral rights suspended might appeal to the court and it usually took a

year for the verdict to be handed down, so that if the person was found not guilty the public could then criticise the committee for giving too much power to the EC, Prapan said.

The committee also decided yesterday to ask the Council of State to look into the three bills.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

 The Nation