Samak's choice Outgoing Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej casts his vote to elect his successor at polling unit 54 in Bung Kum district. — Boonnarong Bhudhipanya

MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

The ban on exit polls is likely to be applied to future elections, Election Commission chairman Wassana Permlarp said yesterday.

He expected it would be standard practice in future. He insisted it was in line with the law and that the EC had not become carried away with its power.

``We decided to ban exit polls not just because we have the power to do so. The decision was based on election law and the consequences if exit polls are allowed,'' he said.

According to Pol Maj-Gen Wassana, local election law requires that elections proceed in secrecy so this should be upheld.

The ban has upset media outlets and pollsters as it was issued less than 24 hours before yesterday's poll.

Pol Maj-Gen Wassana apologised for the abrupt decision, saying the matter was only brought to the agency's attention a few days previously.

``If it causes problems, we're sorry. But we have no hidden agenda,'' he said.

Some pollsters made a fuss about the short notice and claimed they did not have enough time to inform their staff.

``I don't want to argue about this, but if they did try to reach them, why couldn't they?'' he asked.

He said police were told to refrain from taking legal action and to just warn any offenders first.

He did not mind if the public wanted to have the ban lifted or seek to amend the law to reduce the EC's power.