Fighting Electoral Corruption with Rewards and Technology
The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand has introduced a reward system offering up to one million baht for those who provide evidence of electoral corruption, such as vote buying or exchanging gifts for votes. The EC has launched a new online service through its Ta Sapparot (pineapple eyes) mobile app for Android and iOS devices, enabling the public to anonymously report suspected fraud or vote buying.
Additional Reporting Channels
Apart from the app, the EC has created other channels for individuals to submit complaints. These include phone numbers 02-141-8860, 02-141-8579, and 02-141-8858, as well as the EC’s 1444 hotline number. Cash rewards for tip-offs range from 100,000 baht to 1 million baht, depending on the evidence’s significance for securing a conviction.
Overseas Ballot Distribution
Election Commission secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee recently oversaw the transfer of ballots and equipment to 66 countries for advance voting in 94 cities. The distribution was also monitored by Narong Boonsatheanwong, deputy director-general of the Consular Affairs Department, and Pongsathorn Wisetsuwan, deputy managing director of Thailand Post, at the Thailand Post headquarters in Bangkok.
Party-list ballots are green, while constituency ballots are purple. A total of 115,139 Thais registered for advance voting overseas between March 25 and April 9. Among them, 109,442 registered online, and the rest registered at district or local registration offices.
Political Party Donations in January
In addition, the EC disclosed the total donations received by each political party in January. The United Thai Nation Party topped the list with 26 million baht, followed by the Pheu Thai Party’s 12 million baht and the Chartthaipattana Party’s 9.8 million baht. The Bhumjaithai Party received 1.9 million baht in donations, the Chartpattanakla Party got 1.7 million baht, and the Move Forward Party received 571,919 baht.
Be First to Comment