EC targeting 80% voter turnout for referendum
THE Election Commission aims to draw a turnout of up to 80 per cent of eligible voters for the referendum on the draft constitution, tentatively scheduled for early August, an election commissioner said Friday.
Dhirawat Dhirarojvit said that the agency aimed to draw as many voters as possible.
“Some people may say this [the 80 per cent figure] is daydreaming, but we are still determined to make the dream come true,” he said.
Dhirawat defended the EC’s request for a budget of Bt2.99 billion to organise the referendum, which the government described as “too high”.
He said there was no irregularity involved, adding that the agency’s main focus was to get as many people as possible to vote regardless of their stance on the charter.
“This is unlike an election where political parties and their canvassers often campaign for their supporters to turn out,” Dhirawat said.
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