Thai voters back ‘new charter’

BANGKOK – A new constitution for Thailand that is to usher in December general elections and end military rule was approved by millions of voters in a nationwide referendum yesterday, according to two exit polls.

Approval of the charter, the country’s 18th in the last three-quarters of a century, was widely expected. A Suan Dusit Institute poll, released shortly after balloting ended, showed that 68 per cent of voters approved the new constitution, while an ABAC poll indicated more than 70 per cent said yes.The Election Commission said unofficial reports showed more than 60 per cent of the 45,6 million eligible voters had turned out during the eight hours of polling.Unofficial results were expected at about 14h00 GMT yesterday.Approval of the constitution would signal a major defeat for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his still strong following in Thailand and could help calm the turbulent political waters which have followed his ouster in a military coup last September.But critics say the new constitution, although steering the country out of direct military control, would prove a setback for democracy.The 186-page charter curbs the role of politicians, emphasises checks and balances at the expense of participatory democracy and could perpetuate the behind-the-scenes power the military has wielded in Thailand for decades.Defenders of the proposed charter concede it is imperfect, but argue it is the best way out of the political stalemate that led the military to seize power last September 19 amid growing unrest over alleged corruption and abuse of power by Thaksin, now living in self-exile in Britain.Nampa-APA Suan Dusit Institute poll, released shortly after balloting ended, showed that 68 per cent of voters approved the new constitution, while an ABAC poll indicated more than 70 per cent said yes.The Election Commission said unofficial reports showed more than 60 per cent of the 45,6 million eligible voters had turned out during the eight hours of polling.Unofficial results were expected at about 14h00 GMT yesterday.Approval of the constitution would signal a major defeat for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his still strong following in Thailand and could help calm the turbulent political waters which have followed his ouster in a military coup last September.But critics say the new constitution, although steering the country out of direct military control, would prove a setback for democracy.The 186-page charter curbs the role of politicians, emphasises checks and balances at the expense of participatory democracy and could perpetuate the behind-the-scenes power the military has wielded in Thailand for decades.Defenders of the proposed charter concede it is imperfect, but argue it is the best way out of the political stalemate that led the military to seize power last September 19 amid growing unrest over alleged corruption and abuse of power by Thaksin, now living in self-exile in Britain.Nampa-AP