Early results for Bangkok reported by Nation TV and based on results from individual polling stations showed 60-75 percent in favor of the draft constitution, not surprising given the heavy support the military has among the capital’s residents.
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“The junta has deemed criticisms and dissenting opinions about the draft constitution to be “false information” and a threat to national security”.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha talks to reporters after casting his vote in a referendum on a new constitution at a polling station in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016.
A Thai electoral worker prepares to start counting ballots at a polling station during a constitutional referendum vote in Bangkok, Thailand August 7, 2016. Thais voted Sunday in a referendum on a new constitu.
After voting, Prayuth called on Thais to turn out in big numbers “because today is important for the future of the country”.
The Election Commission said initial results were expected late Sunday, with an an official tally to be released within three days of the non-compulsory vote.
Thailand has had more than a decade of fractured politics and instability that has sometimes spilled over into violence on the streets.
This veneer of stability could help explain the “yes” vote for the new constitution. That question elicited a less enthusiastic approval – 58 percent “yes” and 42 percent “no”, according to PBS, and 58.34 percent “yes” and 41.66 percent “no” according to Voice TV.
The turnout was only 55% of the 50 million eligible voters.
Although no irregularities were reported in the voting process, critics are likely to point out that the vote was skewed because the “no” camp was denied the opportunity to present its case. The authorities have detained and charged dozens of people who have spoken against it, including politicians and student activists.
More than 100 people who tried to campaign against the referendum on social media have been thrown in jail, and open criticism has been made punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Opponents say this was done to ensure that people would have little knowledge about the constitution’s provisions, even though officials say 1 million copies were distributed.
Rights groups have said that new laws “restrict expression and access to information about the draft constitution”.
Analysts have said that a “yes” vote would be a setback for democracy in Thailand. “It gives them the green light for the next few steps they want to take. They will say the opposition can not say anything now”.
Still, the government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a retired army general, used its sweeping powers to ban political rallies, independent campaigns against the draft constitution and virtually no debates on it.
A second question on the ballot paper will ask the voter if he agrees with having senators join the elected House of Representatives in choosing a prime minister – in effect opening the possibility for the military to install a non-elected premier of its choice. Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has come out against the plan on the grounds that an appointed upper house would encourage political gridlock.
Emergency decrees enacted by the junta without any parliamentary consent remain valid.
But her government was again toppled by a military coup in 2014 and the 2007 constitution was repealed and replaced by the 2014 interim constitution. If passed, it will be Thailand’s 20th constitution.
Analysts say the constitution will allow the military to maintain power in future without the need to stage coups, of which Thailand has seen 12 since 1932.
The draft constitution was written by a committee appointed by the military junta, tasked with ostensibly tackling corruption and “populism”. Leading the other side is Thailand’s traditional ruling class and royalists unnerved by Thaksin’s support, especially as it contemplates its future.
The tension has been compounded by the frail health of 88-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, as elites jostle ahead of the transition.
Since a 2006 coup, power has flipped between elected governments led by or linked to self-exiled billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra – Yingluck’s elder brother – and rule by the army and its establishment supporters. He has lived overseas since 2008 to avoid prison for a corruption conviction that he says was politically motivated.
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The military has said the new Constitution would stem endemic political corruption and bring stability, but critics have said it will entrench military control.
