Fifty percent turnout hoped for in Thai referendum

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's top election official said Friday that he hoped more than half of the nation's voters would cast ballots in this month's referendum on a new army-backed constitution.

"Personally I hope that more than half of the 45 million eligible voters turn out. Then I would be happy," Election Commission chief Apichart Sukhagganond told reporters.

He urged voters in Bangkok and other cities to take part in the referendum. The Thai capital usually has one of the lowest turnout rates for elections.

"I urge Bangkok residents to help our country by coming out and exercising their right to vote. The EC will announce unofficial results no later than 9:00 pm (1400 GMT) on referendum day," he said.

Thais over age 18 are eligible to vote in the nation's first-ever referendum on August 19 at 87,000 polling stations across the kingdom, he said.

Apichart spoke at a "Democracy Fair" held at a convention center in Bangkok, where junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin and army-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont tried to stir up support for the referendum.

Sonthi told the crowd of some 1,000 people -- mostly uniformed soldiers and students -- that he was confident the public would overwhelmingly approve the draft charter.

"My prediction is based on public sentiment from the grassroots level on up, and will be verified at the ballot box," he said.

The fair was broadcast live on a government-run television station, including dance performances and balloon drops.

Sonthi has ordered all the nation's security officers to campaign and urge people to cast ballots in the referendum, which the junta says will pave the way for general elections before the end of the year.

The military wants to win a healthy majority of votes in order to legitimise its ouster of twice-elected prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but has reserved the power to impose a constitution if it fails at the ballot box.

Campaigning is tilted heavily in the government's favour, with half the country under martial law since the coup and a new law threatening prison for anyone convicted of obstructing the referendum.