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Published on December 22, 2007

"Residents have complained about rampant vote-buying in the Northeast and the government should intervene as local authorities appear reluctant to take action," P-Net executive Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said.

Somchai said he expected canvassers to spread the cash around tonight, just hours before the balloting.

The petition was submitted to Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who is in charge of fighting money politics.

In a related development, Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said authorities were investigating cases of vote-buying in several areas of the country.

"In each of the cases, varying amount of funds were seized as evidence, ranging from Bt1 million to Bt100," he said.

The probes on vote-buying will be completed after the balloting and guilty candidates could find their votes disqualified, he said.

Based on available evidence, there could be as many as 10 cases of candidates up for disqualification and their votes cancelled, he added.

EC member Prapun Naigowit said a vote canvasser in Maha Sarakham was detained on Thursday after authorities found Bt160,000 in cash they believe was for buying votes.

He urged candidates to strictly abide by the campaigning rules so as to avoid the legal wrangling. He also voiced concern that rampant vote-buying might complicate the convening of the new House because of myriad litigations on campaign violations.

The Nation