ID :
188238
Mon, 06/13/2011 - 14:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/188238
The shortlink copeid
EC nods for EU to observe Thailand's July 3 election
BANGKOK, June 13 (TNA) - The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) has given the green light for the European Union (EU) to observe the country's forthcoming general election, set on July 3, as proposed by the 27-member bloc.
EC Chairman Apichart Sukhagganond announced the decision Monday, saying that the Thai election agency has no objection to the presence of the EU observers during the July 3 national poll, as his agency is confident that it will organise the upcoming general election free and fair and in line with international standards.
The Thai EC chief acknowledged, however, that his agency has not yet signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the EU, or other foreign parties, on the electoral observation, and that any recommendation from the EU, or other external parties, will have no legal binding.
Meanwhile, Thailand's Public Relations Department organized a discussion on the mass media’s roles in the July 3 general election, during which the EC and local academics called for the media to be neutral. Somchart Jaysrichai, the EC's Deputy Secretary-General, particularly urged Thai eligible voters to exercise their right freely; while calling for the mass media to also encourage voters’ turnout and refrain from reporting untrue information, warning that the release of any poll result in the last week before the general election violates the Thai electoral laws, but the legislation does not apply to exit polls. (TNA)
EC Chairman Apichart Sukhagganond announced the decision Monday, saying that the Thai election agency has no objection to the presence of the EU observers during the July 3 national poll, as his agency is confident that it will organise the upcoming general election free and fair and in line with international standards.
The Thai EC chief acknowledged, however, that his agency has not yet signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the EU, or other foreign parties, on the electoral observation, and that any recommendation from the EU, or other external parties, will have no legal binding.
Meanwhile, Thailand's Public Relations Department organized a discussion on the mass media’s roles in the July 3 general election, during which the EC and local academics called for the media to be neutral. Somchart Jaysrichai, the EC's Deputy Secretary-General, particularly urged Thai eligible voters to exercise their right freely; while calling for the mass media to also encourage voters’ turnout and refrain from reporting untrue information, warning that the release of any poll result in the last week before the general election violates the Thai electoral laws, but the legislation does not apply to exit polls. (TNA)
