In adopting foreign election practices, it was important to consider the Thai political context, he said.Combating election fraudPaiboon's additional suggestion about the next election's arrangement to follow the August 7 referendum's practice was unworkable, he said, as elections were different than referendums.Politicians play key roles in elections while in a referendum, the state is the only player and political activities were "one-way" communications. "As politicians are players in elections, if there are no election campaigns and debates, it would be hard for the people to examine [the politicians]. "NRSA member Wanchai Sornsiri, who chairs the committee tasked with making suggestions for the new MP Election Bill, said the coming organic law would include a strict mechanism to combat election fraud.Party leaders and executives also had to take action to prevent possible fraud. Party leaders would face a lifelong suspension of their rights to political participation if they were negligent and their party members were found guilty.Convicted politicians would be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison without the possibility of suspension, and would have their election rights permanently suspended, according to Wanchai.Election fraud cases would have a 20-year statute of limitations.The law would prohibit MPs from sponsoring people's social activities. It would also allow people to file petitions against politicians based on electoral fraud.

Source: The Nation Bangkok September 01, 2016 18:00 UTC