PPP calls for fair enforcement of campaigning rules

"My party will not resort to underhanded tactics to sway votes in spite of stringent rules," he said.

Somchai called on the EC not to play favouritism.

He said his party issued a handbook reminding its election candidates to strictly observe 45 guidelines on campaigning in order to avoid being disqualified by the EC.

The party would seek a ruling from the EC before appointing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as chief party adviser in order to be safe, even though Thaksin is banned from holding a nonmanagement position, he said.

EC member Prapun Naigowit said on Wednesday that the party could name Thaksin in an advisory position but many viewed his statement as a personal opinion and not an official ruling.

Earlier, Election Commisson secretary general Suthiphon Thaveechaigarn has forewarned parties concerned to begin observing campaigning rules as the royal decree on the December 23 general election already came into effect on Thursday.

Election candidates and media outlets, if convicted of campaign violations, can face a jail term of up to six months, he said.

"The rules are meant to ensure fairness so that large parties will not have an advantage over small parties," he said.

One of the key rules is that television stations must allocate equal air time to all parties in the race if they are to invite election candidates for appearances in their programmes.

The regulations on air time are prescribed by respective provincial panels, each of which chaired by a provincial election committee chairman.

Each local government is responsible for supervising campaign billboards and other forms of displaying campaign messages in public places.

Election candiates are allowed to use mobile units to advertise campaign messages but they are banned from converting the vehicles into a platform for making campaign speeches in front of a rally.

Candidates are free to communicate with their constituents via emails, websites and print media.

The Nation