PUBLISHED: 24 May 2024 at 19: 23
More than 70 % of Thai citizens mistake how the new room will be elected, and almost one-quarter of the country is aware of the upcoming Senate election.
In a study conducted by King Prajadhipok’s Institute between May 7- 18 on 1, 620 people aged 18 and above, 23.5 % of responders said they did not know the Senate election was approaching.
When asked about the election method, only 28.3 % knew the new senators would be elected among themselves, while 34.7 % had no idea how they would be elected.
On 21 % of respondents believed that eligible voters would choose the new senators from expert organizations, compared to 15 % who believed they would be chosen by ready voters.
The findings apparently contradicted Sawang Boonmee, the election commission’s secretary-general, who held that the general public was well-informed about the Senate election process.
The new Senate will have 200 members elected from 20 professional organizations at the area, municipal, and federal levels in three stages.
The EC is expected to release the total number of candidates who are eligible to run in the poll shortly after the deadline for applications came to an end yesterday. Between May 20- 23, the number of entrants stood at 34, 169.
Individuals were instructed by the EC to research the laws to avoid breaking them on Friday. A one-year jail phrase, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, and a five-year ban from elections will apply to those who permit another candidates, political party executives, MPs, or social office holders to support their campaigns.
In addition, the Administrative Court on Friday upheld three of the EC’s rules governing how the prospects for the Senate vote may present themselves.
In their complaint, the probable candidates said the EC’s rules breached their freedom of expression.
In its attempt, the judge revoked Regulation Nos. 7, 8 and 11 ( 2 ).
No. 7 allows individuals to briefly present themselves using two A4 sheets to sum up their begins. No. 8 enables them to self-introduce via an electrical means.
And No. 11 ( 2 ) forbids candidates and their registered assistants who work in the media and entertainment sectors from using their professions to support self-introduction campaigns.