The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) has demanded the Election Commission and the military regime allow international organisations, including the United Nations and the European Union, to observe the Aug 7 charter referendum to ensure transparency.
UDD chairman Jatuporn Prompan delivered the demand at a press conference on Sunday at the Imperial Lat Phrao department store. The conference was held after Suthep Thaugsuban, chairman of the Muan Maha Prachachon for Reforms Foundation, openly declared his support for the draft charter.
Mr Jatuporn was accompanied by other key UDD members including Thida Thavornseth, Weng Tojirakarn, Nisit Sinthuprai and Somwang Asrasi.
A number of military officers were also there to observe the conference.
Mr Jatuporn said that after the draft constitution was completed and the Referendum Act came into effect, people were living with anxiety because some leading members of the Constitution Drafting Committee and the National Legislative Assembly had given confusing explanations on Section 61 of the Referendum Act.
Violators of Section 61 which refers to disruptions to the referendum are liable to 10 years in jail and a fine of 200,000 baht. They may also be stripped off their election rights by the court for no longer than five years.
Mr Jatuporn said the section did not give clear definitions of many offences such as being aggressive, violent, rude or showing intimidation - which are too vague. So the people were afraid they could easily break Section 61 rules and be subject to punishment.
"For example, it is difficult to say what can be seen as rude. The word "rude" is too vague, and people do not know what they can say before being determined as rude," he said.
He said the EC should come up with a clear explanation of what can or cannot be done, adding that the referendum should not be held in an atmosphere of fear.
To make all sides happy, the EC and those in power should allow international organisations including the United Nations and the European Union to observe the referendum to ensure honesty and transparency, he said.
Mr Jatuporn called for all eligible voters to come out in force to vote in the referendum to make the result clear and beyond doubt.
The people should also help watch for possible fraud at all polling units and report to the UDD if they found such practices so that police complaints can be filed, he said.