The Blackmail Elections

Even amongst the right wing newspapers there are few which are prepared to go even part of the way with L.B.J. in his enthusiasm for the Vietnam election results. One wonders who he thinks he is impressing. Most revealing of the electroal methods is the 'Daily Mail' report from its correspondent in Saigon, Richard West writes:- "The high poll was ... an organisational triumph for the political police, «++. achieved by a mixture of propaganda, appeals and sheer blackmail. The last was easy to see at any polling booth, Each citizen of voting age had been given an election card which he presented at the polling station, After voting he gave the card to another official who stamped it, clipped off a corner-ear and handed the card back, Both the card and corner-ear had been numbered." "Every citizen may now have to show his stamped card as proof that he obeyed the Government by voting. .... The police can see from the corner~ears exactly who went to the polls, Anyone who did not vote is suspected of anti-Government sympathies, The electoral officer at the Minh Phung primary school polling station in Cholon said frankly: 'We have the number on the card so we can check who has done his duty to the country by voting. It is necessary to know who supports the Government .... and the proof will be necessary for anyone who wants to move from one district to another.’ " "In South Vietnam one needs police permission not only to move from district to district, but also to get rations, business licences or any favour from the immense bureaucracy. Those who did not vote will find themselves in continual trouble. That is why even some strong opponents of Ky said they would go to the polls rather than stand on principle,"