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Published on December 19, 2007

Somkiat Tangmano, rector of Midnight University, said that if enough 'no votes' were cast, it would send a clear message to politicians and the military that people want real political reform and a better constitution, not a charter drafted by people appointed by the junta.

So if people cast a "no vote" on their ballot papers on Sunday, it would take on more meaning than just another election.

Even after the election, civil society would remain weak due to the "restrictive" charter, and unable to push forward progressive laws, the group stated. Thai politics would continue its "regressive path".

The group criticised the upcoming election as highly problematic, saying the junta-sponsored constitution restricted many citizen's rights to participate in politics.

And the military continued to work against a free and fair election by supporting certain parties and undermining others it opposes, they said.

Attachak Satyanurak, a historian at Chiang Mai University and another member of the group, urged people to cast a "no vote" as a way to force reform, and push for a new constitution to be drafted and to help realise a true democratic society.

The Nation