AFTER fierce criticism over questionable existence of barcodes and QR codes on voting ballots in the Feb. 8 general election, the Election Commission today (May 16) confirmed that there would not be QR codes on ballots for Bangkok governor and city council elections set for June 28, TV Channel 7 said.
Acting Lt. Col. Sampan Saengkhamlert, a director of the polling agency, said the absence of QR codes on ballot papers is because regulations for local elections state that rubber stamp system be used.
Regarding news that Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister/Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, this would be effective from the resignation date with the polling agency having to hold an election within 60 days. During this period, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Permanent Secretary would act as caretaker.
However, given the close proximity to the term expiration date May 20 it was decided to approve the election according to the June 28 timeline with an estimated budget of 294 million baht.
There is a total of 4,507,523 eligible voters, similar to the Feb. 8 general election, with there to be 6,629 polling stations, an increase of 99 from the Feb. 8 general election. The results will be announced at Rattanakhosin Hall, Bangkok City Hall.
Registration will be open from May 28 to June 1 at the Irawat Pattana Building, Bangkok City Hall 2 at Din Daeng district. A rehearsal for registration will be held on May 27. The draw will be conducted simultaneously at all 51 locations and ballots will be sent out on June 18 via Thailand Post, with police escort.
Acting Lt. Col. Sampan cautioned that influencers and YouTubers supporting a particular candidate would be considered as a form of campaign assistance. If they are hired for the task the candidate must list it as part of election expenses and if the assistance is free of charge, it is still considered a gift and must be assessed and reported to the Election Commission.
Similarly, even if owners of campaign vehicles or mobile advertising trucks provide the service free of charge, if the normal cost is 1,500 to 3,000 baht per day, that figure must also be included in the candidate’s election expenses.
Regarding campaign promises, such as the idea of setting up a dinosaur farm, the polling agency’s director said this must be within the scope of a candidate’s authority and be feasible. If a policy is exaggerated or impossible to implement, it may constitute deception of the public under Section 65 (5).
He also emphasized that even if a campaign assistant is the candidate’s spouse or child, this must be reported to the Election Commission as they are considered campaign assistants under the law.
CAPTIONS:
A graphic image on an election in Thailand, above, and a voter casting his ballot, Front Page. Above image – PRD, Front Page – Thai Rath
First insert – Election Commission Director Acting Lt. Col. Sampan Saengkhamlert. Photo – Naewna
Second insert – Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt is said to have submitted his resignation to run in the upcoming election. Photo – Amarin TV
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