Thai general election, 2007

history

The 2007 Thai general elections were held on 23 December. This was the first legislative election after the Council for National Security, a military junta, had overthrown Thailand's elected government and abrogated the constitution on September 19, 2006.»The thai coup leader said: no vote for another year", MSNBC, 20 September 2006. The junta had canceled general elections scheduled for October 2006 and promised new elections within 12 months. The junta then outlawed the Thai Rak Thai party, the largest political party in Thailand, and banned TRT executives from contesting in the elections for five years. After their political party had been dissolved, the former TRT members regrouped under the band of People's Power Party (PPP) led by Samak Sundaravej, the seasoned politician. Following its formation, the junta issued a classified order to suppress the activities of the PPP and to frame it for lese majeste. The order was leaked to the public, leading to a complaint towards the Election Commission from the PPP. However, the Election Commission dismissed the complaint on the grounds that the CNS had granted itself immunity in the 2007 Constitution of Thailand.Bangkok Post, »Poll agency clears CNS for role in issuing classified order, 13 December 2007Bangkok Post, »Junta 'never harmed PPP', 13 December 2007

The junta deployed 200,000 soldiers and police officers to maintain security and 1,500 officers to supervise after election fraud. Charnchai Silapauaychai, a popular former Democrat Party Party member from Phrae who switched to the PPP for the 2008 election, was assassinated. Five men, one of them cousin of a powerful Democrat Party MP were arrested, but all denied involvement.IHT, »Thailand to deploy 200,000 police and soldiers for post-coup elections, 17 December 2007

Despite being the junta's target for suppression, the PPP managed to win 226 out of 480 of the MP seats, close to controlling the majority in the House of Representatives. The Democrat Party came in a distant second with 166 seats, Chart Thai 39, For the Motherland 26, Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana 10, the Neutral Democratic Party 7, and Pracharat 4.

Competing political parties

Some of the political parties contesting in this election, covering 157constituencies and 80 party-list seats, are:

Voting system

With the new constitution the number of MPs was reduced to 480, with 400 elected directly at one of the 157 constituencies and 80 elected by proportional votes in each of the eight electoral areas. Depending on the size of the population, each constituency may have up to three MPs.}}

Early voting started on 2007-12-15. The eight electoral areas were designed such that they contain equal numbers of population.

Timing of the election

Although the junta initially scheduled the elections within 12 months after the September 2006 coup, Minister of the Prime Minister's Office Thirapat Serirangsan later announced that the elections might not occur until one year and five months, which would put the election in February or March 2008.The Nation, »Drafting new charter 'may take 17 mths', 18 October 2006 On the other hand, the chairman of the Constitution Drafting Council, Noranit Sethabutr, said in January that the timetable was to hold a constitutional referendum in August and elections between October and December; any problems in drafting the constitution or ratifying it through the referendum would delay the election date.»"Thai elections expected at year end", tvnz.co.nz, 12 January 2007 This timetable was later tightened even further, with elections planned by the end of September 2007.»http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/26Jan2007_news01.php. ''Bangkok Post (26 January 2007). A preliminary date was set in March 2007 for the elections to be held on 16 December 2007 or 23 December 2007.Beth Jinks and Suttinee Yuvejwattana, »"Thai Election in December, Referendum by September", Bloomberg.com, 29 March 2007. After the constitutional referendum, it was announced that the most likely date would be 23 December,Suttinee Yuvejwattana, »"Thai King Approves Constitution, Allowing Election", Bloomberg.com, 24 August 2007. which was formally agreed upon on 27 August 2007.

Early poll results

A poll from late August saw the Democrat Party in the lead with 43.0%, followed by the People's Power Party with 20.7% and Thais United with 7.7%.»"Thais Want Democrats to Form Government", Angus Reid, September 11, 2007. A poll from November 2007 saw the PPP lead with 39%, followed by the Democrat Party with 32%, the Thai Nation Party with 10%, the Neutral Democratic Party with 9% and For the Motherland with 5%. However, another poll from late November saw the Democrat Party lead with 43% to the PPP's 24%.

Election results

Two exit polls gave the PPP a clear first place, with either 256 to the Democrats' 162 seats (giving them an absolute majority of the 480 seats) or with 202 to the Democrats' 146. Four smaller parties also took seats. While the Democrats acknowledged their election defeat and stated it was the PPP's right to form the government, it is unclear what the military will do now, as the PPP is based mostly on former TRT supporters.

The preliminary final results gave the PPP 226 seats, the Democrat Party 166 seats and Chart Thai 39 seats. For the Motherland got 26 seats, Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana 10, the Neutral Democratic Party 7 and Pracharat 4 seats.

The PPP is now in coalition talks, but the third and fourth parties are reportedly under pressure from the military government not to support the PPP. However, the PPP stated on December 24, 2007 that they had already achieved the necessary support to form a coalition government.

According to final results, the PPP won 233 seats, the Democrat Party 165 seats and Chart Thai 37 seats. For the Motherland got 24 seats, Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana 9, the Neutral Democratic Party 7 and Pracharat 5 seats.

Disqualifications

A number of MPs (mainly those elected for the PPP) were given so-called "red cards" for suspected vote-buying, meaning they will not be able to contest the resulting by-elections, while other MPs issued with "yellow cards" are not banned from contesting such by-elections. By 2008-01-03, the Election Commission had endorsed 397 MPs and was still investigating 83 MPs for fraud.»Thai election agency endorses 397 candidates winning general election - People's Daily Online

By-elections were held on 13 January, 17 January, 20 January (the day before the first session of the newly elected parliament) and 27 January 2008.»Thai election agency completes filling House seats - People's Daily Online The Electoral Commission was still looking into allegations of fraud by PPP deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyaphairat; if he is given a red card, the PPP faces dissolution. PPP officials have stated that they are not worried over the possible dissolution, and that they would simply find a new party instead; local reports state that a likely candidate for takeover by PPP members would be the Thai Land Power Party (Palang Pandin Thai Party). »Thailand starts by-elections in Northeast_English_Xinhua

Disqualified were:

Government formation

In January 2008, a coalition government was announced bringing together the PPP and the five smallest parties. The Democrat Party became the sole opposition party.»Thailand's Supreme Court clears way for PPP to form coalition gov't, Xinhua, 2008-01-19, accessed on 2008-01-19

See also

References

External links

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