Compromise shapes up as only solution

Compromise shapes up as only solution

Analysis: Both sides face an equal number of opponents to their cause, which limits their options

Holding a referendum to endorse national reform while delaying the election should be a way out of the political conflict.

Pulling them in
Crowds of people turn up for the anti-government demonstration at the Pathumwan intersection yesterday. Nets are hung over the stage area in a bid to protect the speakers from attacks. THITI WANNAMONTHA

Two months have passed since the House dissolution on Dec 9 but the state of politics remains in limbo, as the struggle between the caretaker government and its opponents continues.

Unofficial results of the Feb 2 general election released by the Election Commission have been interpreted by the two conflicting parties as their claim to political victory.

The results are still incomplete as they do not include the 28 constituencies in eight southern provinces which have no candidates and 10,284 polling stations which could not be opened for voting on Feb 2 due to disruptions and other problems such as election staff shortages.

More than 2 million voters also could not vote in the Jan 26 advance voting.

Of about 43.02 million, 20.53 million or 47.72% people went to vote on Feb 2. Of them, about 3.42 million or 16.69% voted ''no''. There were about 2.45 million or 11.97% spoiled ballots.

About 14.64 million people or 71.34% voted for various political parties.

The government claimed about 20.53 million voters cast their ballots in the Feb 2 poll to support it while the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) also claimed that the number of non-voters, ''vote no'' ballots and spoiled ballots supported its cause.

However, the results have indicated a rejection of the Feb 2 poll. Information from EC staff in the South showed average voter turnout was only between 10-20%, based on the number of polling stations that were able to open for voting. In the upper South, voter turnout was about 8-10% while a voter turnout in the lower South was about 35-40%.

This means if voting could take place at 100% of all the polling stations nationwide, voter turnout nationwide would be less than 47.7%.

Political observers also say the results indicate a decline in Pheu Thai Party's popularity compared to the 2011 general election in which the party gained about 15 million votes in the list system.

Moreover, the increasing number of those who voted ''no'' suggested they want a solution to the political crisis and this is a good opportunity to involve these voters in a process to end the political conflict through a referendum.

National reform appears to be a priority acceptable to all sides - the government, the PDRC, and the Democrat Party, although they still argue whether reform should precede the election or the other way around and they still could not come up with clear and concrete details of re form.

In light of this, a referendum should serve as a peaceful solution to the political deadlock as it complies with the democratic process and gains recognition both domestically and abroad.

If the PDRC is determined to push for all its demands seeking to uproot the Thaksin regime, a term referring to the influence of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the PDRC must confront the resistance of at least 12 million people who voted for Pheu Thai. Many of them have confined themselves to the provinces rather than march to the capital, but that could change.

But if Pheu Thai still refuses to make changes, it will also face the pressure of an equal number of PDRC's supporters.

The best way out is to seek a comprise and push for national reform while delaying holding poll re-runs for a proper period.

This way, it is likely the two sides should be willing to comprise and take a step back without either side being disadvantaged or losing political face, which will pave the way for a referendum to be held to resolve the political deadlock.

The referendum should be used to endorse a piece of legislation to set up a reform committee comprising people from all sectors, except politicians.

The reform committee will be authorised to act as a legislative body to draw up legislation to reform the election process and then call a new general election.

After the election, the committee will continue to work out plans for political, economic, social reform. These reform plans will be submitted as bills to the parliament for endorsement.

These proposals are based on the political reform process in 1997 as well as the model of the exercise of the legislative power alongside the referendum as in 1997 and 2007. This approach should offer a solution to the deadlock.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (3)