EC Champions Transparent Senate Elections

[webfact]

 

In the wake of criticism over anonymous Senate voting, the Election Commission (EC) has defended the process, stating it conforms to legal parameters that cannot be revised by the EC alone.

 

Speaking on the matter, EC Secretary General, Sawang Boonmee, reiterated the commission's unyielding compliance with the law. He highlighted that senatorial candidates are mandated to reveal their identities solely to eligible voters and emphasised the public's role in overseeing the voting process.

 

Aiming to boost transparency, the Thailand EC has launched the "Smart Vote" mobile app and a related website. These platforms will share pertinent information about candidates, including their biographies and career backgrounds. Via email or the LINE app, senatorial candidates can publicise their profiles to voters.

 

Addressing a query on the introduction of senatorial candidates, Sawang assured that all actions, including those by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the influential figure from the Move Forward Party, uphold legal standards. 

 

He detailed the timeline for senate candidate declaration and voting, stating that it will commence post the issuing of a royal decree and conclude within a two-month span. Modern communication channels like social media and online platforms have been incorporated for candidate introductions.

 

Sawang added that while the media can report and critically assess election proceedings, they must avoid defamation of candidates. He emphasised the EC's preventative measures against corrupt practices and ensured fair play through a well-defined legal structure and process.

 

Picture courtesy of National News Bureau of Thailand

 

-- 2024-05-04

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[dinsdale]

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

He emphasised the EC's preventative measures against corrupt practices and ensured fair play through a well-defined legal structure and process.

 

This from what everyone knows to be a completely corrupt arm of the junta that has kept any opposition to the status quo of the military elite in power as will this joke of a psuedo election of a partly new Senate.

[ikke1959]

What a bs talk... always hiding behind the laws.. break the power of the ones who made them..

[mfd101]

What I have read so far on the official 'voting' process - who gets to be a candidate and who gets to vote - is practically incomprehensible, and certainly has nothing to do with any concept of 'The People of Thailand' voting for members of the Upper House.

[hotelbri]

Joke of the week, " unyielding compliance with the law "... the EC .

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Speaking on the matter, EC Secretary General, Sawang Boonmee, reiterated the commission's unyielding compliance with the law

Now that is funny.....

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

the Election Commission (EC) has defended the process, stating it conforms to legal parameters that cannot be revised by the EC alone.

As per the 2019 Constitution written by the junta. To change the unelected "de-selected" Senate process requires an amendment that must be approved by the Senate - clever catch-22.

[mfd101]

26 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

To change the unelected "de-selected" Senate process requires an amendment that must be approved by the Senate - clever catch-22.

Precisely.

[candide]

10 hours ago, dinsdale said:

This from what everyone knows to be a completely corrupt arm of the junta that has kept any opposition to the status quo of the military elite in power as will this joke of a psuedo election of a partly new Senate.

While I agree with you about the EC, it just applies the Junta's constitution. The way the consitution was written, the EC doesn't even need to be biased or corrupt. The constitution has been written in order to obtain the desired result.

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, candide said:

While I agree with you about the EC, it just applies the Junta's constitution. The way the consitution was written, the EC doesn't even need to be biased or corrupt. The constitution has been written in order to obtain the desired result.

Agree. The junta's constitution was a complete fix with questions that could only lead to the extension of power for the military elite. Wasn't it also re-written to guarantee this? Might be wrong but that's the way I remember it. Loaded questions.

[mikebell]

On 5/4/2024 at 7:29 AM, webfact said:

stating it conforms to legal parameters that cannot be revised by the EC alone.

The Army will not allow it.