People will not be forced to vote on charter referendum

BANGKOK, May 5 (TNA) -- The government will not make a law to force eligible voters to go to the constitution referendum on Aug 7, Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said. He denied the report that the government planned a new law to require people to cast their vote in the referendum. It was impossible for the National Council for Peace and Order and the government to force anyone to do that, Gen Prawit said. People had their right to make their own decision on the matter but activist groups should not resort to any means to influence people or motivate people to do wrong, he said. Asked to comment on an expected turnout, Gen Prawit said that all parties were eagerly following up reports on the draft constitution and the upcoming referendum. He assured that the military would guarantee safety for representatives of the Constitution Drafting Committee and the Election Commission who would be presenting the content of the draft constitution to the public in provinces. (TNA)