EC puts 42 provinces on watch list

>>The Election Commission (EC) has stepped up monitoring in 42 provinces where electoral competition is considered intense.

- POST REPORTERS

It is deploying stricter oversight measures and enlisting the help of nearly half of the national police force to prevent vote-buying ahead of the general election.

EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee said yesterday the commission has classified all 77 provinces into two categories in terms of competition: normal (35) and intense (42).

In the latter group, additional police, administrative officials and election inspectors have been mobilised to monitor campaign activities, particularly in the final stretch before polling day on Feb 8, he said.