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Published on October 17, 2007

"Don't be paranoid. I, too, want a free and fair vote," he said.

Sonthi was reacting to remarks by allies of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who claimed he had a hidden agenda to bring about the destruction of their party banner.

He said the people could form their own judgement on the future of Thaksin's supporters and he had no intention to interfere with the balloting.

He also ruled out speculation that he had a favourite party to install in power.

"No one can rig the electoral outcome in a democracy," he said.

Meanwhile, Supreme commander General Boonsrang Niumpradit instructed soldiers to stay away from politics.

"Soldiers have no business to involve themselves in politicking and should not take sides when promoting awareness of democratic rule, which is part of their civic duties," he said.

Boonsrang spoke while chairing a high-level meeting of the three wings of the armed forces to plan budgetary allocations.

Echoing Boonsrang, Army chief General Anupong Paochinda said his soldiers would focus on solving the insurgency in the South instead of getting involved in partisan politics.

"The people are free to judge and vote to exercise their mandate on governing the country, while soldiers will tackle security issues like illegal drugs, border smuggling and natural calamities," he said.

He defended the decision to enforce martial law in 27 provinces on grounds of security, and not for political considerations as claimed by some politicians.

He said authorities deemed it necessary to keep martial law intact and extend the enforcement of the emergency decree because of two key issues  the southern insurgency and the trafficking of illegal drugs.

The Nation