Corruption alleged in Thai vote

Dr Thaksin: "Time for working for the country"

Voting has ended in Thailand's general elections - the first to be held under a new anti-corruption constitution.

But, even before polling stations closed at 3pm local time (0800 GMT), election commission officials and monitors said there had been widespread vote-buying - despite a massive security operation.

From the whole country we've heard reports of vote buying, but we can't do anything because we don't have enough volunteers or police

Election monitor Somchai Srisuthiyakorn

Early exit polls indicate that Thaksin Shinawatra's new Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party has scored a convincing victory over the Democrat Party of incumbent Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai.

They give Mr Shinawatra's party at least 200 of the seats in the 500-seat House of Representatives, compared with about 118 for the Democrats.

But Dr Thaksin, a wealthy businessman, may himself face disqualification over allegations that he concealed some of his assets.

A total of 37 political parties were contesting the election. Early reports put the turn-out at about 60%. Final unofficial election results are not expected until Sunday.

Violations

More than 140,000 police were deployed throughout the country, many guarding polling booths and politicians after a series of election-related shootings.

Soldiers line up to vote, polling cards at the ready

Voting took place under strict new rules against vote-buying, which give the Election Commission powers to disqualify those responsible for cheating at the polls and call re-votes.

But violations by candidates have already been reported in many areas.

Somchai Srisuthiyakorn of the Pollwatch Foundation said vote buying had increased in the last days of the campaign.

"From the whole country we've heard reports of vote-buying, but we can't do anything because we don't have enough volunteers or police," he said.

Officials quoted in the local press said there was so much evidence of vote-buying that dozens of candidates could be banned after the elections or face re-runs.

Ready to rule

Thaksin Sinawatra, who founded Thailand's biggest telecommunications conglomerate, ran an impressive campaign, accusing the prime minister of failing to lift Thailand out of the 1997 economic crisis, selling the country to foreign investors and neglecting the poor.

This is the toughest fight in my 32-year political career because I have to fight against the richest man in this country

Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai

As he went to vote, he said he was ready to become Thailand's new leader.

"Now, I have to plan to work for the country. I've been working hard for the party already. It's now the time for working for the country, not for the party any more," he said.

But Doctor Thaksin may yet be barred from becoming prime minister because of a finding by an official anti-corruption commission that he concealed some of his assets.

The National Counter Corruption Commission ruled last month that Doctor Thaksin deliberately concealed his vast wealth when he was deputy prime minister in 1997.

If the Constitutional Court upholds that ruling, he will will be barred from public office for five years.

That could leave Thailand in a political vacuum as parties bargain over forming a coalition.