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Thailand votes in referendum on new constitution Thai referendum: Military-written constitution up for approval
(about 2 hours later)
People across Thailand are voting in a referendum on a new constitution, written by a military-appointed committee. People across Thailand are voting in a referendum on a draft constitution written by an army-appointed committee.
The military threw out the old constitution when it took power in 2014, after months of political instability and sporadic violence.The military threw out the old constitution when it took power in 2014, after months of political instability and sporadic violence.
It says that if approved, the constitution will be a major step towards returning to full democracy. Proponents of the new document say it will help end political turmoil and restore stability, but critics have said it will entrench military control.
But opponents call the vote unfair as campaigning has been restricted. Campaigning against the draft was banned and dozens have been detained.
A crippled democracy? Analysis by Jonathan Head, BBC News, Bangkok Thailand's biggest political parties have rejected the constitution.
After casting his ballot at a polling station in Bangkok, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said: "Come out [to vote] because today is important for the future of the country.
"This is your duty and this is part of democracy, of an internationally-recognised process."
About 200,000 police officers have been deployed to maintain order and there have been no reports of protests.
Independent election observer groups have requested accreditation to monitor the vote, but this has not been granted by the Election Commission.
The Referendum Act, brought in to govern the referendum process, criminalises "anyone who disseminates text, pictures or sounds that are inconsistent with the truth".
Offenders face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
A crippled democracy? Analysis by Jonathan Head, Bangkok
The way this referendum has been run by the military authorities has been widely condemned by human rights groups because of the ban on campaigning, which has seen dozens of people detained and charged.The way this referendum has been run by the military authorities has been widely condemned by human rights groups because of the ban on campaigning, which has seen dozens of people detained and charged.
As a result, public knowledge of the draft constitution is limited; many Thais say they have little idea what is in it.As a result, public knowledge of the draft constitution is limited; many Thais say they have little idea what is in it.
If it is approved, the military government has promised that a general election could be held by late next year, restoring democratic government.If it is approved, the military government has promised that a general election could be held by late next year, restoring democratic government.
But critics have argued that the draft will create a crippled democracy, with the armed forces and an appointed senate retaining decisive influence over future elected governments.But critics have argued that the draft will create a crippled democracy, with the armed forces and an appointed senate retaining decisive influence over future elected governments.
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The Referendum Act, brought in to govern the referendum process, criminalises "anyone who disseminates text, pictures or sounds that are inconsistent with the truth". Pokemon warning
Rights groups have said that the new law "restricts expression and access to information about the draft constitution". Election officials have warned that anyone playing the augmented reality game Pokemon Go, launched in Thailand on Saturday, near polling stations could face charges.
Offenders face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Dozens of people have been charged in connection with the referendum. "In occasions that rare Pokemons emerge in any polling station, please stop playing it," said election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn.
Independent election observer groups have requested accreditation to monitor the vote, but this has not been granted by the Election Commission.
What are Thais voting on?What are Thais voting on?
The 40 million voters will answer yes or no to the question: Do you accept the draft constitution? They will also be asked a supplementary question, whether or not the appointed senate should be allowed to join the lower house in selecting a prime minister. The 50 million eligible voters have been asked to answer yes or no to the question: Do you accept the draft constitution? They have also been asked a supplementary question, whether or not the appointed senate should be allowed to join the lower house in selecting a prime minister.
If the majority of voters say yes, the draft becomes the constitution, enhancing the military government's legitimacy in the run-up to an election which Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the 2014 coup, has promised will happen next year. If a majority of voters says yes, the draft becomes the constitution, enhancing the military government's legitimacy in the run-up to an election which Mr Prayuth, who led the 2014 coup, has promised will happen next year.
If the constitution does not pass, what will happen is uncertain, but the military government will remain in control.If the constitution does not pass, what will happen is uncertain, but the military government will remain in control.
What are the key changes in the draft?What are the key changes in the draft?
The military argues that corrupt politicians are to blame for the last decade of instability and divisive politics.The military argues that corrupt politicians are to blame for the last decade of instability and divisive politics.
Made public in March, the draft proposes a voting system which would make it difficult for a single political party to win a majority of seats in the lower house.Made public in March, the draft proposes a voting system which would make it difficult for a single political party to win a majority of seats in the lower house.
One of the most controversial clauses calls for the 250-seat senate to be fully appointed by the military government.One of the most controversial clauses calls for the 250-seat senate to be fully appointed by the military government.
Before the coup, just over half of the upper house seats were directly elected and the rest were appointed.Before the coup, just over half of the upper house seats were directly elected and the rest were appointed.
The change means military-appointed lawmakers would have a decisive say in the likely event that no party holds a majority in the lower house, or National Assembly of Thailand.The change means military-appointed lawmakers would have a decisive say in the likely event that no party holds a majority in the lower house, or National Assembly of Thailand.
Critics say the amendments greatly enhance the power of the military, and ensure it will have a grip over Thai politics for at least five more years.
Why is this happening?Why is this happening?
Thailand has had more than a decade of fractured politics and instability that has sometimes spilled over into violence on the streets.Thailand has had more than a decade of fractured politics and instability that has sometimes spilled over into violence on the streets.
In this time, parties linked to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have won every election, but their governments have all been ousted either by court rulings or military coups.In this time, parties linked to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have won every election, but their governments have all been ousted either by court rulings or military coups.
Mr Shinawatra fled into self-imposed exile in 2008 to escape a criminal charge of abusing his power, for which he was later convicted in absentia. Mr Thaksin fled into self-imposed exile in 2008 to escape a criminal charge of abusing his power, for which he was later convicted in absentia.
His sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, became prime minister in 2011 but was forced to resign by the Constitutional Court just days before the military took power.His sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, became prime minister in 2011 but was forced to resign by the Constitutional Court just days before the military took power.
"I'm happy that I could still exercise my rights as a [Thai] person," she said, after voting on Sunday.