PUBLISHED: 11 Apr 2025 at 06: 09
The Election Commission (EC ) has launched a campaign to encourage voters to cast their ballots in May’s municipal mayor and council elections nationwide.
The election regulator anticipates a turnout of 70 % on average, up from 66 % in February.
However, some provinces managed to surpass the mean in the most recent poll, with Phatthalung notably recording 83 %, according to EC chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong on Thursday.
He claimed that in order to raise public awareness and promote voter registration, the EC has launched a new plan in conjunction with the Department of Provincial Administration and the Department of Public Relations.
According to Mr. Ittiporn, about 65, 000 people have registered as candidates, including 4,500 who will work for mayors of their respective municipalities, and the remaining candidates will compete for the seats on the municipal council.
On Friday, the verified record of qualified applicants will be made public.
Voters will be sent a handbook to their mailing addresses that will contain all the details about the city elections, including details on confirmed candidates, he said. More information can be found on the EC’s site and the Smart Vote program.
The votes will be held in 2, 121 communities, 348 of which will just appoint new council because their mayors were just chosen due to the jobs being vacated, he said. In all 76 regions except Bangkok, the elections will take place.