Bangkok: Dr. Jetsada criticized the Election Commission for numerous problems with advance voting, including missing data and incorrect envelope addresses. He warned Secretary-General Saeng not to sarcastically dismiss those who don't vote, pointing out that it's illegal, and advised him to rest if he's stressed.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jetsada Tonawanik, the Rak Chart Party's prime ministerial candidate, raised concerns about the problems encountered during the recent advance voting process. He stated that his party was not the only one affected, particularly by the loss of candidate information and instructions, and errors in addressing ballot envelopes in several provinces, such as Mukdahan. This raised concerns among voters about whether their votes would be correctly delivered to their respective constituencies. He emphasized that his criticism was constructive and not intended to undermine credibility, but rather to urge a clearer examination of the legal aspects and operational procedures.
Mr. Jetsada also commented on the stance of Mr. Saeng Boonmee, Secretary-General of the Election Commission, expressing concern and warning him that while understanding the stress and heavy workload, making statements implying that those dissatisfied with the Election Commission don't have to vote is something to be extremely cautious about, as it could potentially violate the law.
"I must say this, Mr. Sawaeng, the Secretary-General. You are stressed and working hard, we understand. But for you to say that if people are dissatisfied with the Election Commission or anything like that, they don't have to vote... that's against the law. You must be careful. If you feel that the burden of your duties right now is too heavy, you might want to take a break, let someone help. The seven commissioners can rotate, or someone can come and do something that can help improve the process. But I must say, I commend all the staff and personnel. You are truly dedicated and committed to ensuring a fair and honest election. Mistakes can happen, but let's not let them happen frequently," Mr. Jetsada said.
Mr. Jetsada also emphasized the importance of preparing for the upcoming election day, which is complex due to the use of three ballot papers: a green ballot for constituency MPs, a pink ballot for party-list MPs, and a yellow ballot for the referendum. He urged the Election Commission to manage the process with prudence.
Regarding allegations against the Election Commission without evidence, I agree that the Commission should take decisive legal action, as baseless accusations cannot be tolerated. However, if there are complaints of vote buying and selling with supporting evidence, the Commission must investigate thoroughly to uncover the facts. They shouldn't let the matter fade away, as this would compromise the integrity and fairness of the election, which is unacceptable.