EC to fight the buying of election candidates:Sonthi

"I am willing to cooperate to get rid of money politics although the primary responsibility rests with the EC," Sonthi said in reference to his role in fighting vote-buying.

Sonthi was reacting to news reports that certain parties paid about Bt40 million per candidate in order to secure election victory.

He dismissed the allegation that the junta subsidised parties, seen as close to the military, to undermine the People Power Party, a new home of supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"I don't think the Council for National Security has the money," he said.

He said he would have to work harder to ensure fairness in the December 23 election following the Sunday's release of an opinion survey indicating that more than 60 per cent of the people were willing to accept money or gifts in exchange for votes.

The Nation