By Thai Newsroom Reporters
AN ELECTION of 200 SENATORS from among various candidates at national level is scheduled for June 26, according to the Election Commission.
The cabinet today (Apr. 23) approved the Election Commission-proposed royal decree for the three-tiered election of 200 senators to replace the 250 outgoing senators, all named by the military junta under leadership of former army-chief-turned prime minister/now privy councillor/de facto Ruam Thai Sang Chart boss Prayut Chan-o-cha.
The three-tiered election of the new senators will begin with that at district level scheduled for June 9, followed by provincial level set for June 16 and finally at national level scheduled for June 26, according to the polling agency.
Candidates who are not under 40 years old and are to be categorised by regular occupation into 20 groups may apply to contest the election for senator on May 13 whilst official results of the race to parliament will be announced on July 2.
No less than 100,000 people are expected to contest the unprecedented three-tiered election for senator but no candidates are legally allowed to be attached to any political parties.
Unlike the outgoing, junta-appointed senators, the new ones will no longer be constitutionally empowered to cast votes for prime minister alongside the elected MPs.
CAPTION:
Thai parliament meeting chamber. Top photo: Thai Rath, Front Page photo: NNT
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