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Published on October 10, 2007

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont suggested to the Cabinet during its weekly meeting that Sonthi be appointed chairman of the panel, according to the Government House source.

The panel is to be responsible for promoting the general election, scheduled for December 23, and for supporting the work of the Election Commission.

The PM also ex-pressed concern about the problem of vote buying and he instructed relevant agencies to help tackle the issue, according to the source.

The Cabinet also resolved to declare the problem of vote buying as a national agenda, as had been suggested by the Election Commission, government spokesman Chaiya Yimwilai told reporters after yesterday's meeting.

There was also a proposal during yesterday's Cabinet mee-ting that December 24 should be declared a public holiday, ac-cording to the spokes-man. Chaiya has assumed the post after the resignation of Yongyuth Mayalarp, who cited his shareholding in a private firm exceeded the 5percent cap.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation