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THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF THAILAND

*
Michael H. Nelson

ven very early in the process that later developed into
Ethe political reform enterprise, the existing electoral
system was perceived as not being conducive to just, clean, and
fair elections. Civil servants, especially those belonging to the agency
responsible for organizing elections, i.e. the Ministry of the Inte-

rior, were seen as letting themselves be used to benefit certain
political interests. Moreover, the ministry did not seem to be able
or willing to seriously combat vote buying, vote silling, and the
practice of village and sub-district headmen being used as vote
canvassers. One result of this perception was the establishment of
PollWatch in January 1992. It was intended to be a politically
neutral election watchdog consisting of nonstate actors, in particu-

lar members of NGOs, as well as intersted citizens. PollWatch was
led by Kothom Ariya, now an election commissioner, and aimed
at reducing vote buying, building up political consciousness, and
contributing to fair elections.

The timing of setting up PollWatch was probably not
purely accidental since, in February 1991, the military had staged
a coup, and the March-1992 elections were supposed to lead the

country back to a more democratic polity. As we know, this was
not to happen, and Thailand instead suffered what has become
known as the 'bloody May' of 1992. However, initiatives for politi-
cal reform picked up after this date. In June 1994, the president of
Parliament. pressured by many factors including a hunger strike
by political activist, Chalard Vorachart. appointed the Democracy

Development Committe (f'lru::n'fnm1'lli~\ntJ'l::'Il1fhJ1rMJ). Under

* Senior Research Fellow. C.enter for the Study of Thai Politics and Democracy. King Prajadhipok's Institute:
email mhnelson_kpi @hotmail.com. I would like to thank Wendell Katerenchuk for his editorial help.