EDITORIAL
When a reporter approached a vendor this week and asked for her views on the Bangkok governor election, she responded by saying she wasn't expecting anything to change and was fed up with the topic. While such feelings are understandable given the lack of charisma and exaggerated policy platforms of most of the candidates, eligible voters must turn out in force at the polls tomorrow if there is to be a meaningful result. Yes, it can be a tough choice for those not voting along party lines but democracy has always been about challenge and the issues in municipal elections rarely change.
Futuristic and idealistic schemes involving extensive use of modern technology are all well and good. They provide the "wow" factor in the campaign. But it is the less glamorous issues that usually decide the outcome. These include such down to earth concerns as keeping the traffic flowing, better air quality, control of petty crime, alleviation of poverty in deprived communities, food hygiene at roadside vendor stalls, successful flood prevention measures, increasing the number of parks, improving the quality of municipal schools and health stations, coping with increasing amounts of garbage, preparing for integration into the Asean Economic Community and fixing the footpaths so pedestrians don't sprain their ankles or fall down holes while walking through business, tourist or residential areas.
Grabbing most of the attention have been the two front-runners, Sukhumbhand Paribatra and Pongsapat Pongcharoen, backed by the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties. Independent candidates Sereepisuth Temiyavej, Kosit Suvinijjit and Suharit Siamwalla have also garnered attention. And, while no one has been unfortunate enough to fall in a khlong this time, respect is due independent candidate Sopon Pornchokchai, 72, who swam across the Chao Phraya River to promote his campaign to raise awareness about river conservation.
This was not the only stunt to raise eyebrows on social media, where the election campaign is being fought as enthusiastically as on the streets of the capital. Mr Sopon is also shown doing his version of the Harlem Shake. Not to be outdone, Pol Gen Pongsapat has his own professionally produced music video while MR Sukhumbhand enters the electoral arena with a rousing speech backed by the theme from Gladiator. Many have also found unintended humour in some of the policies on offer such as candidate Samit Samithinand's proposal to end jams at intersections by keeping all traffic lights on green.
Rightly or wrongly, one of the biggest losers in the aftermath of this election will be the opinion polls which have lost credibility because of a perceived bias towards the Pheu Thai-backed candidate in the early stages of the campaign. They have denied this but questions remain over their sampling and methodology. Election Commission member Somchai Juengprasert has warned those conducting opinion surveys not to publish misleading results after formal complaints were made to the commission by two independent candidates.
Municipal elections have never offered an easy choice. Rare is the election where a gifted, principled visionary emerges to tower above the other candidates and make the choice a simple one. There will be those who cannot be bothered to vote and they will have lost the moral right to complain if things don't go their way after the election.
There is no shortage of issues or candidates. So do your part to set things right by casting your vote tomorrow. It won't take long and it is a worthy investment in your own future as well as that of your fellow citizens.
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/03/02/vote-to-make-a-difference/
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