Allegations of last-ditch vote-buying and illegal campaigning during recent anti-Thaksin rallies emerged yesterday ahead of today's crucial nationwide Senate election.

In addition, there were reports of poll betting and distribution of leaflets in some provincial constituencies urging people to shun certain Senate candidates who have close ties to political parties.

The polls, in which more than 44 million Thais are eligible to cast ballots, will elect a total of 200 senators, with Bangkok having the largest share of 18.

Of the more than 1,500 candidates, many are spouses and relatives or close associates and canvassers of local politicians who have a stronghold in their respective constituencies, even though the Senate is supposed to be a non-partisan body serving as a check and balance on the government.

According to the law, senatorial candidates must not be members of any political party. Candidates are also banned from campaigning as they are only allowed to put up small signboards or hand out cards to introduce themselves.

Ekkachai Warunprapha, secretary-general of the Election Com-mission (EC), said yesterday the agency was all set to supervise today's Senate polls.

He also urged all voters to remember the official number of their preferred candidate before going into poll booths because the ballots show only candidates' numbers but not their names.

"In many constituencies, there are a large number of candidates contesting for the Senate seats so people could be confused if they don't have the preferred candidate's exact number memorised," he said.

Prakob Subsaenyakorn, chairman of the EC branch in the northeastern province of Sakon Nakhon, said officials are investigating complaints that some candidates in the province handed out money to buy votes.

In one constituency, a candidate reportedly paid a local MP Bt1.4 million to solicit 20,000 votes, with each of the eligible voters given Bt50-Bt100.

Prakob said the EC would likely hold another round of elections if there is solid evidence to nullify today's polls and to implicate vote-buyers.

Songkiat Senaphun of the EC's Yasothon branch, also in the Northeast, said officials are gathering evidence to implicate vote-buyers following complaints that Bt100-Bt300 had been paid to each of the villagers in certain districts.

More than Bt100 million has reportedly circulated in Yasothon, where the Senate contest is fierce with 21 candidates vying for the province's two Senate seats.

Poonsak Sangkaew of the EC branch in Rayong province said there had been no complaints about vote-buying, but officials have been told there has been gambling on who would win the province's Senate race, which is also illegal.

In the southern province of Phuket, leaflets were found in several constituencies of Talang district urging people not to vote for a candidate said to be closely tied with a political party.

In Tambon Vichit in Muang district of Phuket, villagers also reported they had received Bt400 each to vote for a candidate and that canvassers provided free meals to woo votes.

Meanwhile, Karom Polthaklang and Suwit Thongnual, who represent a lawyers' club, yesterday filed a complaint with the EC headquarters in Bangkok alleging that 10 Senate candidates broke the election law by making speeches at anti-government rallies last month.

Of these, seven are running for Senate seats in Bangkok, while the rest are contesting for seats in Maha Sarakham, Udon Thani and Krabi.

The lawyers handed over videotapes and VCDs as evidence to the EC.

Political Desk

The Nation