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Published on November 27, 2007

Suthipol said pollsters which carry out popularity surveys on particular parties and candidates with the intent to mislead the public risk being charged with breaking Article 53 of the Election Commission Act, an offence punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a Bt200,000 fine.

He said parties can hire pollsters to conduct popularity surveys but if they use the survey results to mislead the public, they will also face legal action.

Election laws ban pollsters from releasing poll results seven days before the general election is held and before the ballot boxes are closed.

EC commissioner Prapan Naikowit said candidates can lodge a complaint with the EC if they believe pollsters are releasing misleading survey results that could cause them to lose their advantage.

Matchima Thipataya Party leader Prachai Leophairatana had earlier commented that some parties resorted to pollsters to mislead the public about their party's popularity.

Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratglin yesterday admitted poll results had a psychological impact that could cause one party to have an advantage over others. The EC must look into any allegations, he said.

 The Nation