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Published on November 28, 2007

The People Power Party (PPP) said yesterday there was a hidden agenda to thwart the party's election chances and that the police Special Branch's poll forecast released yesterday would effect it.

Spokesman Kuthep Saik-rajang said the party objected to the survey because it was conducted by a state agency instead of an academic group.

Even though the survey concluded that PPP would win 219 seats to form the largest party in Parliament, the results do not benefit the party because voters may become more sympathetic to its underdog rivals, Kuthep said.

"I think it is a trick by the state to block our party. They try to tell voters to vote for other parties based on the fact that we will absolutely win the election," he said.

Kuthep said the survey's results may be reliable, but his party objected to it on principle. "We would not be concerned if the poll was conducted by an academic institute, but this survey is by the police, which makes us believe that they have an agenda," he said.

PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee has claimed his party will win at least 240 seats, even more than the survey forecast.

Democrat Party executive Kobsak Sabhavasu said the police poll was a warning that old entrenched powers were making a comeback, which might cause some defectors from the PPP to rethink their decision.

But Kobsak said the poll would probably not influence voters' choices. "I don't believe people will choose a party or candidate based on the poll, because they have to consider each party's policies," he said.

Matchima Thipataya party-list candidate Banyin Tangphakorn said the survey may affect candidates psychologically by making them concerned about their prospects. "However, if we are optimistic, it will urge candidates to work more," Banyin said.

Even if the poll did have an impact on Matchima's popularity, Banyin said his party didn't believe the results were accurate because Matchima has conducted its own survey, the results of which would not be made public.

Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana deputy leader Anek Laotha-matas said the PPP would not benefit from the poll because it was conducted by the police.

He said the police's motives behind the survey were doubtful, because political polls should be conducted by academics. Anek said its influence would only be felt in Bangkok.

Abac Poll Research Centre director Noppadon Kannika said positive polling results would give the PPP an advantage in the election, by motivating party staff and attracting more financial support.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission warned pollsters yesterday that releasing misleading poll results about a party's popularity was a crime liable to punishment of up to 10 years in prison

The Nation .