Critics pan move to allow parties to stage poll gigs

An idea floated to allow MP candidates to sponsor entertainment events during election campaigns has been slammed for going against the grain of reform by giving unfair advantages to large political parties.

Former senator Paiboon Nititawan voiced his opposition to the proposal which is being mulled by the National Legislative Assembly. If approved by lawmakers, it would be incorporated into the draft organic law on the election of MPs.

The proposal would allow each candidate to spend up to 1.5 million baht on organising entertainment events, such as a band or a likay folk stage show, to attract voters during their election campaigns.

Some lawmakers argued such events would get more voters interested in election campaigns and going to the polls.

The entertainment budget for each MP candidate would be included in their election spending limit permitted by law.

Mr Paiboon, however, said the proposal would give unfair advantages to richer parties.

If, for example, a certain party plans to field 350 candidates in the polls and wanted to sponsor events in every constituency it is contesting, the party would have to stump up more than 500 million baht.

The party might not have enough money and would have to turn to financiers to help pay for the entertainment. The party would then be in debt to the financiers who in turn could influence party’s policies if it becomes part of the government after the election.

Mr Paiboon said this defies a political reform goal which is to wean parties away from the influence of wheeler-dealers and financiers who seek to pull the strings of parties winning cabinet seats.

In fact, the charter reduces, not increases, expenses for people taking office, he said.

Mr Paiboon, who has vowed to support Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to return as premier after the next election, said if financiers can wield influence over parties in exchange for vested gains later, fewer honest people will want to enter politics.

The consequence would be the failure of the political system again, a problem which the military government is attempting to solve.

Candidates should not have to pay to promote themselves during elections. The public relations work should be handled by the Election Commission.

“That way, all parties and their candidates will enjoy equal exposure with no strings attached,” he said.

Election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said yesterday bigger parties could afford more entertainment events, creating an unfair advantage over smaller parties.

He added fees for hiring performers vary considerably. Some might even perform for free if they are politically aligned.

In practice, spending on entertainment is hard to calculate, which makes it difficult for regulators to keep track of a party’s expenses, Mr Somchai said.