ELECTED Speaker of the House of Representatives, who concurrently assumes the post of Parliament President, was Bhumjaithai party-listed MP Sophon Zaran after getting 289 votes while 123 MPs voted for his competitor People’s party-listed MP Parit Wacharasindhu, PPTVHD36, Amarin TV and Naewna newspaper said today (Mar. 15).
In this secret voting there were 80 abstentions and 5 invalid ballots, for a total of 497 votes cast.
After interim House Speaker Pairote Lohsunthorn, a Pheu Thai party-listed MP, named Sophon the House Speaker the ballots were destroyed according to Rule 87, paragraph 2 of the regulations.
Following this, Mr. Sukarno Matha, Prachachart MP from Yala, nominated Ms. Mallika Chiraphanwanich, Bhumjaithai MP from Lopburi, as the First Deputy House Speaker with no other MPs nominated to compete.
Then Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Bhumjaithai MP for Sisaket, nominated Mr. Lertsak Pattanachaikul, Pheu Thai MP for Loei, as the Second Deputy House Speaker and likewise there were no competitors.
Sophon highlighted his 25 years of experience as a lawmaker from paper-based era to the AI age with his aim being to revise outdated laws and turn Parliament into a true haven for the people while emphasising collaboration with the executive branch to solve national crises.
Meanwhile, Parit admitted that his nomination was not aimed at winning by the number of votes, but rather to outline his vision on four issues, which are transparency that is verifiable through a dashboard, using technology to increase efficiency, standing for what is right, and the crucial mission of “restoring public trust” in Parliament.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page – Bhumjaithai party-listed MP Sophon Zaran being congratulated upon winning the vote for House Speaker. Photos – Naewna
First insert – Sophon Zaran addressing the House meeting. – Photo – Amarin TV
Second insert – People’s party-listed MP Parit Wacharasindhu addressing the House meeting. Photo – Amarin TV
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