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Published on August 19, 2007

The Election Com-mission yesterday reported widespread last-ditch attempts to defeat the draft charter, particularly in lower-North-eastern provinces.

"Efforts to rig the national referendum's outcome have been uncovered mostly in Isaan, including in Buri Ram province, where the number of complaints is very high," EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said.

He said the EC would strictly enforce disciplinary measures against government officials who failed to remain neutral. He also called on police to take stern action against persons attempting to influence votes.

He was confident the counting of votes would go smoothly and that the unofficial results from 88,000 polling stations nationwide would be available before 9pm today.

The official outcome should be known before 2pm tomorrow.

In light of tightened security, the referendum vote in the South is not expected to be marred by violence, he said. The deployment of soldiers and police to keep peace had increased three fold and every polling station had a contingency plan to complete the voting regardless of any insurgent attacks.

Almost 16,000 soldiers would guard some 2,500 polling stations in the four southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla.

EC secretary general Suthiphon Thaveechaigarn said that two days before the referendum, the EC had received about 17 complaints about activities by those favouring rejection of the charter.

"Charter opponents have relied on misinformation, vote-buying, promised favours and mailing leaflets to persuade voters," he said.

The anti-charter message of most serious concern was the misinformation that the junta would revive the suspended 1997 Constitution to bring about a general election should the charter be rejected, he said.

"Authorities are closely monitoring anti-charter activities in the North and Northeast, including money trails," he said.

The EC had completed all preparations for the vote and expected a turnout of more than 60 per cent, he said.

Some two million officials are involved in running the referendum for 45.6 million eligible voters.

Kanchanaburi's Muang (city) district chief Pichai Thitisak said he had seized more than 5,000 anti-charter leaflets mailed to voters.

Messages in the leaflets included "Advance the Election Day forward by defeating the charter", "Dangerous charter provisions allowing house search without a warrant" and "Dangerous charter provisions cancelling Bt30 gold-card healthcare".

Villagers in Sa Kaew, Buri Ram and Nakhon Phanom reported receiving 500 anti-charter flyers.

They also notified authorities about rumours that Buddhist monks would be evicted from their temples if the charter passed in the referendum.

In Kalasin, residents said they were offered Bt200 each if they cast votes against the charter.

The Second Army Region has kept close tabs on anti-charter campaigners in Buri Ram, Surin and Udon Thani with the aim of gathering evidence for prosecution.

EC member Sodsri Satayatham yesterday inspected polling stations in Bangkok to ensure readiness for today's vote.

Sodsri said voters were free to dress in any colour, including red, the colour representing the anti-charter movement.

Interior Ministry permanent secretary Pongpayom Wasaputi said provincial governors and local authorities expected more than 70 per cent of voters in rural areas to cast ballots.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau has mobilised more than 13,000 policemen to keep peace in Bangkok. Anti-riot forces were ordered to stand by for any attempts to disrupt the voting.

The Council for National Security spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnoed urged voters to cast ballots in order to advance the country.

"The CNS just wants to see the people decide their own future through a referendum - your vote is not about the CNS or former prime minister Thaksin but about the direction of the country," he said.

First Army Region commander Lt-General Prayuth Chan-ocha said soldiers would assist police to maintain security throughout the capital.