BANGKOK, 1 July 2011 – Social network and internet users are warned not to violate electoral laws by making comments in favour of or against any political parties online after 18.00 hrs of 2 July 2011 until 4 July 2011.
Election Commissioner Prapun Naigowit stated that all political parties must stop their election campaigns including those via the internet from 18.00 hrs of 2 July 2011 onwards; otherwise, they will be charged with violating electoral laws.
Mr Prapun added that internet users cannot post comments online either in favour of or against any political parties during the period. He warned that violators can face prison terms; however, comments encouraging people to go to the polls can still be made.
The EC commissioner also cautioned anyone against using usernames or accounts of other people to post political comments during the period. He said the authorities can track origins of such comments.
Mr Prapun then asked social network users to post comments in a constructive manner by encouraging others to go out and cast their votes. He hoped that this 3 July election will go on smoothly, and the result will be accepted by the public.
Open comments will be allowed on social network and the internet again on 4 July 2011.
