Chiang Mai Khunadham Party Wins Majority Of City Council Seats

[ChiangMaiMail]

Chiang Mai Khunadham party wins majority of City Council seats

Although several people were arrested on vote fraud at Baan Toh School, there was no violence on Election Day as ballot boxes were taken to the Municipal Building to be counted.

Nopniwat Krailerg

The Chiang Mai Municipal Council elections were held on Sunday, April 8, 2012 with 24 seats up for grabs. The last election was held in 2008 and the previous City Council members’ terms expired in March. The Mayor was not up for reelection this time as the term expires October 3, 2013. Elections were held in Nakorn Ping, Kawila, Meng Rai and Srivichai Districts.

There were two parties competing for Council seats, the Khonmuang Pattana party formerly known as Chang Ngan party (numbers 1-6 on the ballot) and the Chiang Mai Khunadham party (numbers 7-12 on the ballot) led by Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn.

Voters watch the results get posted in the evening.

It was reported that several people were arrested at Baan Toh School for illegal activities during the election by the Election Commission of Chiang Mai although there had been reports of tussles between the two groups previously; there were no reports of violence on Election Day.

As the ballot box closed at 3 p.m. supporters from both sides cheered when the boxes were taken to the Municipal building for counting. The Chiang Mai Khunadham group won 18 seats in 3 districts while the Khonmuang Pattana group won 6 seats in Srivichai District.

There were105,067 registered voters of which 54,054 people voted or 51.45 percent. 1,982 ballots were voided and 7,171people voted no vote.

Chiang Mai Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn said that this will allow the Municipal government to complete their projects and approve the budget. In the past, the Council would delay approval of the budget and other projects by 7-8 months due to opposition by Council members. The Mayor said that the vote shows that the people want things to move forward in the city and approve of the work done so far.

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Edited April 10, 2012 by ChiangMaiMail