Bangkok: "We Watch" demands that the Election Commission take responsibility for the mistakes in organizing the 2016 general election. The group is calling for a transparent explanation of all allegations and procedures, asserting that if the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) cannot regain public trust, it should resign.
According to Thai News Agency, the We Watch group, along with a network of civil society organizations, submitted a letter and read a joint statement demanding that the Election Commission take responsibility for the election management. They pointed out that the handling of the election revealed numerous errors and irregularities that violated fundamental principles, leading to widespread suspicion and calls for recounts and investigations across the country. The issues highlighted include violations of key principles of election transparency.
The Election Commission's management process has been criticized for a lack of transparency, impacting the credibility of the election results and raising doubts about the integrity of the process nationwide. Notably, a change in the slogan from "Honest, Transparent, Fair" to "Honest, Fair, and Lawful" has been seen as a shift that undermines the importance of public disclosure. Instances of polling stations withholding vote count results and discrepancies between ballots and voters have added to the concerns. Moreover, restrictions on public and observer access to vote counting data have been reported.
The election results reporting system has also come under scrutiny. Votes from polling stations were reportedly transmitted to a central monitoring center before public release, which has led to concerns about potential data manipulation. The Election Commission claims technical errors or data verification as reasons for changes in vote counts, but the lack of transparency in this process has raised questions about the accuracy and integrity of the reported votes.
The group's concerns extend to allegations of influencing referendum results and incorrect judgments on ballot validity. The public expects efficient use of funds and effective election management, but documented errors, data management delays, and unpreparedness of polling stations highlight a mismatch between budget allocation and results. Issues such as inadequate polling station arrangements and concerns about ballot paper traceability further undermine confidence.
The We Watch group emphasizes the need for election-managing organizations to be independent of political influence while remaining accountable to the public. The current structural setup, where the Election Commission is appointed by the Senate, poses challenges to public accountability and effective oversight. The group has proposed urgent actions, including the disclosure of complete vote count information and public access to tally sheets and advance voting ballots.
Ms. Patsrawalee Thanakiwibulphol, a political activist, stated that their group has identified irregularities and allegations of a lack of transparency in the election and referendum. The demands for accountability reflect the Election Commission's poor performance and the erosion of public trust. The group is calling for answers regarding the fairness and transparency of the election process and is seeking accountability for the situation.