Not quite set in stone
October 5, 2007
Photo: Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, left, and Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhakkhanont appear at a press conference to confirm that the general election will be held on Dec 23. APICHART JINAKUL
The date for the general election has now been set by the Election Commission for December 23 but it is not quite set in stone. You might recall earlier in the week that some members of the National Legislative Assembly have threatened to ask the Constitution Court to review the organic laws required for the election to take place, a process that would almost certainly delay things. In this story, you will read about one politician's complaint that the December 23 date is unfair. Read to find out why he thinks so. Read also to find out why a delay until January could be very problematic.
set in stone – firm and not able to be changed แน่นอน ไม่เปลี่ยนแปลง
recall – to remember จำได้ นึกได้
organic laws – basic laws for governing a country, in this case, laws required by the constitution. The three organic laws in the story pertain to the election of the House of Representatives and the installation of the Senate, a law on political parties and a law on the Election Commission กฎหมายต้นแบบ
problematic – likely to cause problems น่าจะเป็นปัญหา
Govt, EC confirm poll on Dec 23
MONGKOL BANGPRAPAThe general election will take place on Dec 23, the Election Commission and the government confirmed yesterday.
The date was finalised at a meeting between Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and the election agency amid rumours of a possible postponement.
Gen Surayud said the government expects to submit a royal decree on the poll to His Majesty the King for endorsement after Oct 16.
The prime minister shrugged off the rumours of an election delay, saying the EC set the poll date and the government was obliged to give full support.
Gen Surayud also said his decision to double as interior minister reflects his intention to support the EC in carrying out its job.
‘‘I am trying my best. If everyone wants to see the end of the crisis and wants to see democracy, we have to help each other. If the majority of people help, the country will do well,’’ he said.
He said a government committee to coordinate with the EC, as was proposed by Prime Minister’s Office Thirapat Serirangsan, would be unnecessary as he is now the interior minister.
EC chairman Apichart Sukhakkhanont said the discussion focused on the need for the government to support the EC to organise fair and transparent elections.
‘‘Most important is the issue of vote buying, which is of serious concern to several parties.
‘‘I asked the prime minister to make it a national agenda item and would like to ask the Thai people to help minimise it,’’ he said.
Pradit Phataraprasit, a core member of the Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana party, called on the commission to postpone the election, citing EC delays in announcing constituencies as the reason.
He said if the election was not put off, it would be unfair to the political parties which field ‘‘new faces’’.
‘‘I have never seen any country setting an election date without announcing the constituencies,’’ he said.
poll – election การเลือกตั้ง
amid – the middle of something, especially something that causes excitement ท่ามกลาง
rumours – pieces of information or stories that people talk about, but that may not be true ข่าวลือ
postponement – arranging for something to take place at a later time การเลื่อนออกไป
royal decree – (in Thailand) and official order from a ruler made at the request of the government พระราชกฤษฎีกา
endorsement – official approval; a public statement of support การลงนาม ลงพระปรมาภิไทย
shrugged off – treated as being unimportant ไม่ใส่ใจ (เนื่องจากเป็นสิ่งที่ไม่สำคัญ)
obliged – required จำเป็นต้อง ถูกบังคับ
double – to carry out two jobs or responsibilities at the same time ทำงานสองตำแหน่ง
intention – what you intend or plan to do ความตั้งใจ
coordinate – to organise the different parts of an activity and the people involved in it so that it works well ประสานงาน
transparent – having nothing hidden; allowing the truth to be easily seen โปร่งใส
national agenda – the issues that are important to a country and which need to be dealt with วาระแห่งชาติ
minimise – to reduce to the lowest level ลดปริมาณ ลดน้อยลง
core – of the small group of the most important members in an organisation แกนนำ
constituencies – districts that elect their own members of parliament หน่วยเลือกตั้ง
put off – delayed; done at a later time เลื่อนออกไป
field – to provide a person to represent you (i.e., a candidate) in an election ส่งผู้สมัครลงเลือกตั้งในแต่ละเขต
The organic laws are expected to come into effect on Oct 11.
He stressed that the EC will seek opinions from political parties before it finalises the matter.
Mr Sutthipol said the new election system means the EC must redraw constituency boundaries in 45 provinces.
‘‘According to the law, the election must be held by Jan 10 [2008]. If it is postponed to Jan 6, advance voting will be held during the New Year celebrations and some candidates will exploit the festivities for political gains. Dec 23 is an appropriate date,’’ he said.
Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva suggested the EC meet with political parties to discuss election procedures and ask them to pledge not to buy votes.
The EC and the People’s Network for Elections need to heal their divisions and work together to ensure a fair election, he said.
Mr Abhisit said the party is ready for the poll and expects to announce its candidates about two weeks after the organic laws take effect.
It will begin its election campaign as soon as the royal decree is announced.
come into effect – to begin to be used; to begin to apply เริ่มใช้
stressed – gave special importance to ย้ำ เน้นความสำคัญ
boundaries – real or imagined lines that mark the limits of edges of something, in this case a constituency ขอบเขต (ของรัฐธรรมนูญ)
candidates – people who are trying to be elected ผู้ลงสมัครรับเลือกตั้ง
exploit – to take advantage of something ฉวยโอกาส
pledge – to promise สัญญา
heal their divisions – to end or solve their disagreements ประสานความบาดหมาง ความไม่ลงรอย
ensure – to make certain สร้างความมั่นใจ
campaign – (of an election) a series of planned activities designed to win support for a political party or a candidate การรณรงค์หาเสียง