Thailand EC launches voter turnout campaign for May 11 elections
Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) kicked off a nationwide campaign to rally voters ahead of the upcoming municipal elections, scheduled for May 11. The elections will determine new mayors and councillors across 2,121 municipalities, except Bangkok.
EC chairman Ittiporn Boonprakong announced yesterday, April 10, that the commission expects a voter turnout of 70%, up from February’s 66%. Some provinces have already demonstrated strong civic engagement, with Phatthalung recording an impressive 83% turnout during the last local election.
To boost participation, the EC has teamed up with the Department of Provincial Administration and the Department of Public Relations to raise awareness.
The campaign includes informative handbooks detailing the list of verified candidates and key voting information, which will be delivered directly to voters’ homes. Additional details will be available through the EC’s Smart Vote app and official website.
“We’re making it easier for voters to be informed and engaged,” said Ittiporn. “This election is crucial to shaping local governance, and every vote counts.”
Some 65,000 candidates have registered for the race, with approximately 4,500 contesting for mayoral seats and the remainder standing for council positions. The official list of eligible candidates is expected to be published today.
In 348 municipalities, voters will elect councillors only, as mayors have recently been appointed to fill vacancies, reported Bangkok Post.
The EC’s campaign comes amid ongoing efforts to build trust in the electoral system and foster greater public involvement in local politics. With competition heating up and civic pride on the line, the commission is banking on a strong turnout and informed choices.
In similar news, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) pressed ahead with a high-profile probe that could see up to 30 senators disqualified over alleged collusion during last year’s senatorial elections. The investigation centres on security footage allegedly showing coordinated peer voting at the district, provincial and national levels.
The DSI claims to have gathered compelling evidence and is preparing to submit its first batch of disqualification requests to the Election Commission, potentially within weeks. If the EC concurs with the findings, the case will proceed to the Supreme Court, where the final decision on the senators’ fate will be determined.
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