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Published on November 4, 2007

There was no clear explanation from him as to how he had obtained this figure; it could have been from a public opinion poll conducted recently by an educational institution. Yet the prime minister urged people to exercise their voting rights to keep out undesirable politicians.

If the figures were accurate, they would constitute a failure of great magnitude for which the current government must be held accountable. Surayud is chiefly to blame for this weak performance among other things.

It was the prime minister who set the election date several weeks ago, much to the chagrin of the Election Commission. Since then, it has been his responsibility to use all government media outlets to inform the people of the election date.

Surayud might have underestimated the alertness and awareness of the people in this regard. In the countryside, which traditionally registers a higher voter turnout than urban areas, elections are a time when voters expect extra income from well-funded candidates.

He might have been correct to urge all people, particularly the so-called "silent majority" in Bangkok, to exercise their voting rights so that candidates with tainted images and soiled hands are prevented from winning seats in the House.

He should not worry too much about rural voters. In the past, candidates have usually explored tricky ways to transport bought voters to polling booths in large groups if election watchers were not too keen in their inspection efforts.

That is why poor rural voters are eager to vote to reciprocate when candidates give them small windfalls and a few days of a better livelihood. This has given politicians a blank cheque to recoup their political investment many times over the initial capital input.

Surayud's plea for government officials to maintain neutrality during the election is quite ironic. Isn't it the duty of all officials and the people to prevent bad politicians from entering Government House through tricky means?

Surayud should define "neutrality" to make sure he understands it correctly. Neutrality does not mean that government officials should ignore the battle between good and bad politicians by doing nothing just to maintain neutral.

Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda said time and again that the people should help block evil politicians from gaining power and wreaking havoc on the country by plundering national assets and taxpayer money.

For some people, statements concerning "neutrality" sound holy and righteous indeed. They make one feel good, but without taking a clear stand on a serious issue - and point to someone refusing to take sides, while waiting to join the winner.

In the fight between good and evil politicians, the military, police and civil servants and all Thais must stand on the side of the good, to make sure that our House does not have crooks and thieves seeking opportunities and loopholes to enrich themselves with other people's money.

By remaining aloof, as Surayud has been accused of doing, and performing poorly, the entire interim administration is making Thaksin Shinawatra look better. If Thaksin's nominees and cronies return to power, the Surayud Cabinet will be to blame and will have to live with guilty consciences for the rest of their days.

The Council for National Security and other government agencies should be proud if they have any part in preventing bad elements from winning House seats. They have the primary responsibility to maintain national security, and that includes keeping out the bad guys.

It is no surprise, therefore, to hear some politicians whine and moan that it's difficult to conduct campaigns and make close contact with supporters and voters. Let's just say that the new election rules make it quite difficult for traditional vote-buyers to go about their usual business.

That's why we have heard about new tricks in winning the hearts of voters through various means, such as taking canvassers on foreign tour packages, making payments through ATMs before and after the polls, as well as other clandestine efforts.

If we are going to have a clean and fair election, there is still time for the government to rethink its strategy to get voters to understand the stakes and consequences if the crooks manage to muscle their way into power. Judging from the inertia shown by Surayud, there is not much hope that there will be any increased alacrity among the government media apparatus to work hard. The failure from now until December 23 could be calamitous and unforgivable.

Sopon Onkgara