OrBorTor elections set for October 7

PHUKET: The four-year terms of eight tambon administration organizations (OrBorTor) in Phuket ended yesterday, with elections to replace them to be held on October 7, Phuket Election Commission (PEC) Director Supap Akkam has told the Gazette.

Would-be representatives in the eight constituencies will be given from September 4 to 8 to register their candidacies with the Phuket Election Commission (PEC).

Polling in three other OrBorTor whose terms also ended yesterday – Rawai, Rassada and Wichit – will be postponed, probably until the end of October, K. Supap said.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI), which has elevated all three OrBorTor to tessabaan tambon (municipality) status, needs more time do redraw constituency maps for those OrBorTor before elections can be held.

The MoI announced on August 22 that the three OrBorTor would be elevated to municipality status effective today, K. Supap said.

The PEC is prepared for the October 7 elections, which will involve 62,227 registered voters casting ballots for 60 representatives, he added.

A breakdown of council size and number of eligible voters was given as follows:

Chalong OrBorTor: 10 councilors, 12,769 registered voters;

Cherng Talay OrBorTor: 6 councilors, 7,500 voters;

Kamala OrBorTor: 6 councilors, 3,647 voters;

Koh Kaew OrBorTor: 7 councilors, 6,535 voters;

Mai Khao OrBorTor: 7 councilors, 9,100 voters;

Sakoo OrBorTor: 5 councilors, 3,500 voters;

Srisoonthorn OrBorTor: 8 councilors, 10,076 voters;

Thepkrasattri OrBorTor: 11 councilors, 9,100 voters.

In other election news released by the PEC, 2008 will see a number of other elections for other elected local bodies whose terms are set to expire during the year:

Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor): term ends March 13, elections must be held on or before April 27.

Phuket City Municipality (tessabaan nakhon Phuket): term ends April 4, elections must be held on or before May 18.

Karon Municipality (tessabaan tambon Karon): term ends May 1, elections must be held on or before June 15.

Patong Municipality (tessabaan muang Patong): term ends June 19, elections must be held on or before August 3.

Kathu Municipality (tessabaan tambon Kathu): term ends July 17, elections must be held on or before August 31.

Pa Khlok OrBorTor: term ends July 24, elections must be held on or before September 7.

The PEC will be responsible for organizing polling in Phuket for the national general election, set for December 23 this year.