UDD slams govt 'intimidation tactics'
The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) has alleged the government is interfering with the group's efforts to set up provincial centres to monitor for possible fraud in the Aug 7 referendum and demanded it stop.
Red-shirt leaders lodged a complaint on Friday with the government about the alleged interference. The UDD plans to open the provincial anti-fraud centres on June 19.
UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan claimed that local army officers have been sent to meet key figures who are to lead the centres in the provinces, which he insists threatened the formation of the centres.
He said Gen Prayut must order his subordinates to stop the tactics of intimidation and let the group freely carry out the centre's work.
"The anti-fraud centres will not cause any trouble for the National Council for Peace and Order [NCPO], but will be the enemy of the referendum cheaters. If you are not fraudsters, you do not have to be worried about it," said Mr. Jatuporn.
Nattawut Saikuar, a UDD co-leader, said people running the provincial centres have reported security officers have been sent to follow them. He insisted the centres' mission is in line with the Referendum Act and they will end within two months after the referendum is held. He also called on local authorities to steer clear of the centres.
Another UDD co-leader, Tida Tawornseth, said the centres will have lawyers examine complaints lodged through the centres to see if they contain misinformation or could cause legal problems.
Meanwhile, the government said the establishment of anti-fraud centres may be politically motivated and vowed to keep tabs on their activities.
Col Piyapong Klinphan, an NCPO spokesman, said the council is now keeping a close eye on people who formed the anti-fraud centres.
"We have noticed that the group behind the activities used to engage in [political conflicts] and included political stakeholders. The move apparently has a hidden agenda to serve political benefits for people in the group," the spokesman said.
The Election Commission will play a key role in handling the issues involving the referendum and the NCPO will closely monitor the group, he said.