Record Invalid Ballots and 'No Votes' in Thai Elections

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only. Courtesy: Wikipedia

 

In the recent elections for Provincial Administrative Organisation presidents across 47 provinces in Thailand, nearly 2 million ballots were either invalid or marked as 'no vote'.

 

On Saturday, the Election Commission reported 931,290 invalid ballots (5.69%) and 1.17 million 'no vote' ballots (7.08%) from 16.36 million voters, representing a turnout of 58.45% out of 27.99 million eligible.

 

Across 76 provinces for provincial councillor elections, 26.42 million of 47.12 million eligible voters participated (56.06% turnout).

 

There were 1.49 million invalid ballots (5.63%) and 1.80 million 'no vote' ballots (6.81%).

 

 

Lamphun province recorded the highest voter turnout at 73.43% during these elections.

 

The opposition Peoples Party secured a significant win, capturing the local government seat, marking its first major success in such polls, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-02-03

 

 

[redwood1]

I bet all the ''no vote'' ballots had voted for the wrong party...

[snoop1130]

Ballot bedlam: Nearly 2 million votes go to waste in local elections

 

Picture courtesy of Nikkei Asia

 

By Bob Scott

 

In an electoral fiasco that left heads spinning, nearly 2 million ballots were either ruled invalid or marked as no-vote in the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) presidential elections, which took place across 47 provinces last Saturday. The startling figures have raised eyebrows and questions about the voting process.

 

Today, February 3, the Office of the Election Commission unveiled the sobering statistics. For the PAO presidential elections, a staggering 931,290 ballots, equating to 5.69% of the total, were dismissed as invalid.

 

Meanwhile, a further 1.17 million ballots, or 7.08%, were marked with a no-vote, signalling apathy or dissatisfaction among voters.

 

Yet, despite the hiccups, of the 27.99 million eligible voters, 16.36 million managed to brave the polls, making up 58.45% voter turnout. Not a particularly stellar figure, but one that underscores the complexity of navigating democracy in action.

 

In tandem with the presidential contests, elections for provincial councillors were held in 76 provinces. Out of 47.12 million eligible voters, 26.42 million, or 56.06%, cast their ballots.

 

 

The commission reported a mirror image of the presidential races: 1.49 million invalid ballots (5.63%) and 1.80 million no-vote ballots, making up 6.81%.

 

On the brighter side, the northern province of Lamphun boasted the highest voter engagement, with 73.43% of eligible voters turning out for the PAO elections, a silver lining in a cloud of disenchantment.

 

Adding a historic twist to the night’s proceedings, the opposition Peoples Party celebrated a landmark victory, clinching the PAO presidency for the first time, reported Bangkok Post. Their success has marked a watershed moment in local governance, potentially shaking up the political landscape.

 

Unofficial results indicate that 39 year old Weeradej defeated Anusorn Wongwan, a four-time veteran from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, in the election held on Saturday, February 1. The PP presented 17 candidates for PAO president roles across 47 provinces but it was only in this northern province that the party secured a victory.

 

As the dust settles over this election drama, authorities will undoubtedly be keen to address the voting blunders and ensure that future elections run smoother and free from such mishaps.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-02-03

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

26 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Nearly 2 million votes go to waste in local elections

 

Those are not wasted votes.

It is usually people that are fed up of the fixed election results and bad government with little or no choices.

It's called a protest vote.

[KhunHeineken]

3 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

Those are not wasted votes.

It is usually people that are fed up of the fixed election results and bad government with little or no choices.

It's called a protest vote.

Correct. 

 

Thailand masquerades as a democracy, but really is a dictatorship. 

[ikke1959]

All votes are wasted as there is no democracy in Thailand and when people vote and the results are not in line what they must be, as we saw with the elections when MFP won, the party or persons will be prosecuted and banned or being declared invalid. 

I believe the big numbers of no votes and invalid votes these elections are the protest of the Thai people.. It is no use to vote 

[KhunHeineken]

3 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

All votes are wasted as there is no democracy in Thailand and when people vote and the results are not in line what they must be, as we saw with the elections when MFP won, the party or persons will be prosecuted and banned or being declared invalid. 

I believe the big numbers of no votes and invalid votes these elections are the protest of the Thai people.. It is no use to vote 

Exactly.

 

Thailand can't be seen to have another military coup so soon, as that's not good for an already failing Thai economy. 

 

The answer is to get rid of the political parties through the corrupt court system.  

 

Thailand still looks like a democracy on the world stage, and with an independent judicial system, but nothing could be further from the truth. 

 

Thailand is an unstable, 3rd World Country.   

[NoDisplayName]

5 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

Those are not wasted votes.

It is usually people that are fed up of the fixed election results and bad government with little or no choices.

It's called a protest vote.

 

Not necessarily a protest.  Many show up at the local polling place because that is what's expected, to be seen at the voting booth by the entire village.  They aren't there to vote, so they don't make a choice, they vote "present."