During an interview with The Nation, Zannier said that it was essential to keep citizens safe from security challenges while promoting the rule of law, justice and non-discrimination agendas. Security practices should also not deprive people of their rights, and their freedom of expression must be guaranteed, he said.

The Italian veteran diplomat said that Thailand having a military-installed government had not negatively affected Thai-OSCE relations. However, he insisted that democracy should be recognised, especially in terms of conflict prevention.

“The use of security forces doesn’t mean that it should lead to [rights] suppression,” he said. “It should result in empowering civic society to have open debates, as well as [the implementation of] the rule of law.”

Zannier said that the need to focus on radicalisation and cyber security should not result in unduly limitating people’s access to the Internet.

He did not directly mention the Kingdom, reasoning that Thailand is an OSCE partner and not an OSCE member that it could take action against.

“We only provide a platform for Thailand and welcome it for dialogue on issues,” he said. “We are not asking anything in particular from Thailand.”

Zannier, however, believes that issues could be raised during the OSCE Asian Conference on Strengthening Comprehensive Security that began in Bangkok yesterday and finishes today.

Since joining the organisation in 2000, this is Thailand’s fourth time hosting the conference, which has attracted representatives from the 57 participating states and 11 partners.

Apart from dealing with the threat of radicalisation, the annual conference also aims to focus on the 2030 agenda tackling sustainable development, trafficking in humans, irregular migration and cyber security.

Among the other high-ranking diplomats at the event’s launch was Asean Secretary-General Le Loung Minh.

The presence of the key Asean figure signifies OSCE’s attention on the region as it believes in the efficiency of integrated platforms to address security issues.

Thailand, the sole Asean nation linked to OSCE, is facilitating action between the two organisations to put security challenges firmly on agendas.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha last Friday urged Asean countries to adhere to a “strategic new equilibrium” and address regional security challenges such as terrorism and extremism, cyber security, irregular migration, climate changes, South China Sea disputes and tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The Prayut government, however, has been challenged by the domestic and international communities over security practices deemed infringing on the rights of people, such as the potential the country could use a single Internet gateway and expand the policing power of the military.

Clinton reportedly reached the key number one day before Democratic primaries in six US states, including California where she is campaigning heavily, and eight years after she came up short in her nomination battle against Barack Obama.

The former secretary of state now becomes the presumptive Democratic nominee, and will do battle in the general election with Donald Trump, who secured the same status within the Republican camp last month.

Clinton’s campaign appeared to acknowledge the tallies that pushed her beyond the 2,383 delegates necessary to clinch the nomination, but said her primary battle with Senator Bernie Sanders was not yet over.

“This is an important milestone, but there are six states that are voting Tuesday, with millions of people heading to the polls, and Hillary Clinton is working to earn every vote,” her campaign manager Robby Mook said in a statement.

“We look forward to Tuesday night, when Hillary Clinton will clinch not only a win in the popular vote, but also the majority of pledged delegates.”

Sanders immediately responded, insisting no Democrat will lock in the nomination until the Democratic national convention in July because unbound super-delegates cannot vote until then.

“It is unfortunate that the media, in a rush to judgement, are ignoring the Democratic National Committee’s clear statement that it is wrong to count the votes of super-delegates before they actually vote at the convention this summer,” Sanders spokesman Michael Briggs said in a statement.

Sanders has said he will spend the coming weeks seeking to convince many of Clinton’s super-delegates that he is the stronger candidate to go up against Trump.

Clinton came to the brink of the nomination Sunday when she won the US territory of Puerto Rico, pushing her delegate count to 2,373, according to a CNN tally.

She surpassed the threshold Monday after a number of super-delegates — current and former elected officials and political activists who are not bound to vote for a specific candidate — recently committed to back her candidacy, according to the AP.

Clinton has earned support from 561 super-delegates, while Sanders has just 47, according to CNN.

Sanders stands at 1,568 delegates, more than 800 behind his rival, and there is no precedent for a massive number of super-delegates switching sides.

Clinton noted on Monday that she has received three million more votes than Sanders, and far more pledged delegates than Sanders as well.

– AFP

Two months from now, voters across the country will be asked to decide whether they accept the new constitution, plus whether they agree that the non-elected Senate should jointly choose the prime minister. The charter referendum is now the hottest political issue – from the subject questions to the associated events leading to the big day. The Nation’s Kasamakorn Chanwanpen asked Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, the election commissioner supervising the plebiscite, about the organisation’s role and challenges lying ahead, especially when the referendum law is enforced.

[Referendum explained]

HOW HAS THE ELECTION COMMISSION (EC) PREPARED FOR OR PROCEEDED WITH THE UPCOMING REFERENDUM UNTIL NOW?

Everything is going step by step without any trouble yet. The million charter summaries, to support the CDC [Constitution Drafting Commission]’s information dissemination, are being printed and distributed to the designated destinations.

We have also launched some smartphone applications, which now have been downloaded by users to assist voters to get to the charter’s essence.

We have also dealt with free television channels to help broadcast a 13-part series concerning the constitution and the referendum. And we are negotiating with the digital TV channels to help air programme reruns.

The preparation of polling equipment is going well following procedures, too.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOLDING ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS FROM THE EC’S PERSPECTIVE?

When it comes to a general election, there is competition among the political blocs or figures, with which people have close connections. So, people are more motivated to go vote for their favourite or close candidates. But as for a plebiscite, it is rather distant from people. Like the upcoming one, its first question, which involves the approval of the constitution, is already not easy for people in general to understand.

It’s not easy to get to the essence of the constitution, and it’s even more difficult when it comes to all of the 279 articles within it.

The additional question posed by the NLA (National Legislative Assembly) is also lengthy and could be difficult to grasp.

But in a nutshell, the major difference is the distance or connection between voters and the subject of the poll.

DOES THAT POSE CHALLENGES TO THE EC? HOW?

Well, it’s a duty that we have to fulfil, whether in an election or a referendum. So, it’s not challenging or anything. Mainly, we just have the goals that we want to achieve. And for this plebiscite in particular, we have three of them – convenience, fairness and quality.

To provide convenience, we try to make it as easy as possible for people to take part in the polling.

So, we have borrowed from technology, with online registration or smartphone applications on offer.

For fairness, well, this is rather tricky because both sides do not have equal resources from the beginning. So, it is rather difficult to avoid this disparity. We have to admit that.

But we do try hard to create strict regulations and signal concerned agencies including the CDC to follow the rules strictly, so they can only help with disseminating information, but never encourage voters to vote yes or no.

For quality, we want every vote to matter.

Voters should know the subject they are voting for and should not cast a ballot as told or be influenced. That is quality.

YOU MENTIONED “DISPARITY” BETWEEN THE PROPONENTS AND OPPONENTS OF THE CHARTER. HOW DO YOU, AS THE RESPONSIBLE AGENCY, BRIDGE THE GAP?

We try to give both sides equal opportunities to express themselves both for and against the draft. That’s why we have the 13-episode programme. All of them can talk and discuss about the charter and voters can see and listen to their stances.

We had proposed the idea (in the referendum draft act) to have both opponents and proponents registered as a group. They could propose their activities to campaign and the EC would give each side Bt50 million.

They could spend the budget on anything – T-shirts, stickers, brochures – anything.

But it was not approved by the NLA. The NLA cut off all the campaign parts. So, the idea has never been realised.

WHY?

You have to ask the NLA.

IS THAT WHY CAMPAIGNS ARE ALL BANNED NOW?

Actually no. That’s a major misunderstanding. You can say anything. You can wear any T-shirt – VOTE YES, VOTE NO. No problem at all.

SO, WHAT ARE THE PROHIBITIONS REALLY, FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE REFERENDUM LAW?

We prohibit incitement, distortion of the truth and vulgarity that would lead to inducing voters to vote for or against the charter.

BUT MANY ARE SAYING THAT SUCH PROHIBITIONS HAVE INTERPRETATION PROBLEMS.

I don’t think they pose any problems. If you say something rude, it is obvious that it’s rude. So are lies. And incitement is saying something like “okay we gather together or march”. It’s obvious. I don’t see any problems about interpretation. So far, no actions have constituted such a crime yet.

ISN’T IT DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO CAMPAIGN WITHOUT FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY?

Well, actually, if it doesn’t cause any unrest, it’s okay.

WHAT ABOUT DISTORTING THE TRUTH? WILL EXPRESSING OPINIONS OR POINTING OUT FLAWS IN THE CHARTER BE REGARDED AS DISTORTING THE CHARTER?

No. Everyone can express their views as long as they have reasons backing them without being rude and inciting people. These are no distortions. They can even forecast the future outcomes. That’s fine.

I want to emphasise again – everyone can say anything – vote yes, vote no. They can wear T-shirts, fly flags and hold up banners. Anything as long as it is not rude or inciting.

WHAT IS THE MOST WORRYING POINT ABOUT HOLDING THIS REFERENDUM FOR THE EC?

Quality seems to be the most problematic point. In such a short period of time, I doubt that voters can understand the charter and decide to vote based on that understanding.

I personally doubt how well the constitution mouthpieces – Kru Kor, Kru Khoh – can understand the charter. I’m afraid that in the end they’ll only be informing voters about when and where the referendum takes place. This thing just takes time. And we have less than two months.

Whatever the outcome, the rival political groups may not respect the result, according to an opinion poll by Rajabhat Suan Dusit University released yesterday. The survey was conducted on 1,179 people in all regions of the country between May 30 and June 3.

Of the respondents, 74.72 per cent said they were concerned about the conflict and division, as well as the possible rejection of the referendum’s outcome. This was the top concern among five issues outlined in the survey’s questionnaires, in which the respondents could answer more than one question.

The second largest group of the respondents, 73.11 per cent, said the issue of greatest concern to them was lack of transparency and the unfairness of the referendum process.

A lack of understanding of the subject of the referendum – the constitution draft – came third with 70.06 per cent.

The issues of least concern were limited participation and waste of state budget at 61.92 per cent and 63.60 per cent respectively.

Asked what they thought could be done to make the referendum go smoothly, 81.76 per cent said the voice of the majority should be heard and public interest guarded.

Transparency, fairness, and well-preparedness came second with 76 per cent promoting the importance of the referendum, and giving accurate and clear information about it was third (71.08 per cent). That was followed by voter independence or the ability to vote for your choice (63.19 per cent). Strict laws to suppress possible unrest came last in the poll with 58.52 per cent.

Another concerning issue about the referendum is the possibility it will be postponed because a clause under its regulating law are subject to a Constitutional Court verdict.

National Legislative Assembly president Pornpetch Vichitcholchai refuted yesterday that he had never said the referendum would be put off if the Constitutional Court found the clause violated the interim charter.

He said his thoughts on the matter had been wrongly reported.

Pornpetch said the referendum law was still in effect. But if the second clause of Article 61 became invalidated, related agencies such as the Election Commission would have to determine if the amended law affected the referendum process.

If the EC proposed the need to enact a law to help with its work, the NLA is willing to proceed accordingly, the legislator said. The NLA is preparing for any explanation the Constitutional Court might request from it, he said, adding the EC, as an enforcing agency, should help provide statements and also be prepared for any difficulties that might follow the law’s amendment.

Constitution Drafting Commi-ssion spokesman Chartchai na Chiangmai said the referendum could only be deferred if the interim charter was amended or Article 44 of the charter was used. But it would be very difficult to do so, making a deferment unlikely, he said.

Chartchai also revealed the CDC’s training sessions for its “mouthpieces” to explain the charter to the public were going well at the district level with a 99 per cent attendance rate. He said the main concern about politics raised during the sessions related to the new election method with the use of only one ballot. But it was not a major issue compared to the interest in state welfare issues such as pension for the elderly and the healthcare scheme.