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Published on December 23, 2007

Today marks another decisive day in Thai politics, when millions of voters nationwide cast their ballots in a general election held 15 months after the coup that toppled the Thaksin government. The anxious wait for the country to find its way back to democracy is finally over after the unfortunate disruption that nobody was happy about. The political mandate is in the hands of the 45.09 million eligible voters who will determine who will represent them in the new House. Under the 2007 Constitution, the number of constituency MPs from all 76 provinces is 400, while there are 80 party-list MPs. Voter turnout was 72.55 per cent for the general election in February 6, 2005, the highest turnout to date, and election officials are expecting an even higher figure this time.

The results of today's polls will of course not result in Thai politics becoming ideal overnight, but votes that go to the right MPs will hopefully help shape it for the better in the future. Voters must learn from times past when bad politicians elected to the House have abused their powers and the country's wealth to amass their own fortunes with little or no consideration for the public benefit.

Voting must use their best judgement and listen to their consciences to ensure that bad politicians are kept from the House. Every single voter has a part to play in helping develop Thai politics with the ballots they cast and they must go out in full force to do this proud, honourable duty.

Old habits die hard for bad politicians and it is very likely that today's polls will see foul play, mostly involving vote-buying and other forms of bribery. Election officials and the police must do their best to counter any potential vote-buying attempts by seeking cooperation from voters and members of the general public who witness the offences. In some areas of high concern regarding security, the three southernmost provinces in particular, authorities must take maximum precautions to prevent violence that could hamper the voting process.

After the election, the House will elect the country's 25th prime minister and a tough brawling time is likely lying ahead for parties eager to foist their candidates into the position.

Samak Sundaravej, leader of the People Power Party, will have to work towards national reconciliation if his party wins by a landslide and he becomes prime minister. Samak must also bring back and observe the rule of law in leading the government and realise that misusing the legitimacy of the election will only draw the country into a political crisis, as in the time of Thaksin Shinawatra.

The military, meanwhile, must respect the people's decision despite the fact that the People Power Party is the political reincarnation of Thaksin's defunct Thai Rak Thai Party. Samak and the People Power Party must be accorded fair play and the military must leave it to the justice system to proceed with court cases against Thaksin in the most transparent and fair manner possible. The process and decisions made must be in accordance with the democratic rule of law.

Likewise, if the Democrat Party wins the majority of seats in the House and its leader Abhisit Vejjajiva becomes prime minister, he must do the same by building up national unity. Any party that wins the highest number of House seats must be allowed to first try to form the new government.

Everyone has a duty to heal national rifts and wounds. Hatred and divisions that have marred the country over the past few years must end.

Along with the need for voters to turn out in full force, there is a greater need than ever for the results to be accepted and for everyone to respect the decisions made by the other side. Although political parties may not be able to completely put their differences aside, this does not mean that they are unable to work together for the sake of the country and its people. They must show those who elect them that their votes are not cast wastefully in order to bring politicians in who will only fight for their own individual political fortunes.