Thailand steps up preventive measures against election-related crime

Bangkok (VNA) - Thailand's national police chief Kittharath Punpetch has ordered a nationwide crackdown on influential figures, contract killers and illegal firearms in the final week before the February 8 general election, as authorities move to ensure security and prevent election-related violence and irregularities, local media reported.

Police have been instructed to maintain heightened readiness ahead of both the advance voting on February 1 and election day on February 8, which will coincide with a national referendum, said deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nualma, who also serves as director of the election security and order centre at the Royal Thai Police.

He said the police have been ordered to step up crime suppression efforts between January 25 and January 31, a seven-day period considered critical in the run-up to polling day.

All police units have been tasked with intensifying operations against all forms of crime, with a particular focus on influential figures, hired gunmen and war weapons, he said.

All these police units have also been instructed to fully support the Election Commission (EC), provincial election directors and constituency election committees when requested, particularly in safeguarding the transport of ballot papers, referendum ballots and election equipment, Pol Gen Samran said.

In a related development, chairman of the Election Commission of Thailand Narong Klanwarin said election officials nationwide have been instructed to intensify monitoring in the final stretch of the campaign to prevent vote-buying and other electoral violations.

The warning coincides with the discovery by the Bank of Thailand of unusually large cash withdrawals from banks. In some cases, customers asked for the entire sum in 500-baht notes.

Narong said election inspectors, police and rapid-response units have been deployed to ensure a free and fair election.

He also reminded the public of restrictions in place for advance voting on February 1: Alcohol sales and distribution are prohibited from 6pm on January 31 until 6pm on February 1, while election campaigning is banned from 6pm on January 31 until midnight on February 1./.

VNA