Majority accept more election delay to help unity: Poll

Majority accept more election delay to help unity: Poll

Permanent secretary for defence Chaicharn Changmongkol escorts Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and party executives as they arrive to give their ideas on national unity at the Defence Ministry on Friday. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
Permanent secretary for defence Chaicharn Changmongkol escorts Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and party executives as they arrive to give their ideas on national unity at the Defence Ministry on Friday. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)

A majority of people say it would be acceptable for an election to be further delayed to allow the government and National Council for Peace and Order to hold talks with all parties on national reconciliation, a survey by the National Institute for Development Administration, or Nida Poll, has found.

The survey was carried out on Feb 15-17 on 1,250 people aged 18 and over of various educational levels and occupations throughout the country to compile their opinions now that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has set up a committee for national reconciliation.

Asked whether it would be acceptable to them if an election is further delayed to allow for the government and NCPO to hold talks with all parties concerned, a majority of the respondents, or 71.28%, said "yes", 21.68% said "no", and 7.04% were uncertain or had no comment.

Asked whether they think the ongoing reconciliation process is a political game of the government and NCPO to cling to power or an honest intention to reform the country, a majority, or 58.72, believed it is their true intention; 23.92% said it was a political game for them to stay in power; and, 17.36% were uncertain.

To the question whether they think reconciliation would be able to reduce conflicts between people, 64.32% said "yes", reasoning that reconciliation would bring about unity; 24.72% did not think it would help reduce conflicts because the people who are pushing for reconciliation still lack justice or neutrality; and 10.96% were uncertain.

Asked whether they think another round of conflicts would occur after an election has been held according to the NCPO's road map, a majority or 54.32% said there would still be conflicts, but may in a new form; 25.76% said "no" because the peple would be more united and a new election would bring about a new leader from democracy who would win more acceptance and help reduce conflicts; and, 19.92% had no comments.


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