Public meeting to discuss local elections

PHUKET TOWN: The Phuket Provincial Election Commission will hold a public meeting next Wednesday (April 28) to discuss local administration elections. Khun Kitipong Thienkunagrit, one of Phuket’s five Provincial Election Commissioners, said that the election commissioners and the legal advisory committee have completed a draft bill to cover the way local elections are to be handled. But since these elections will affect everyone’s lives, he said, it is important that people come to the meeting to give their views. Key points to be discussed will include: · Which voting system should be used; · Where vote-counting should take place; · The budget for the election; · Whether candidates should be required to put up an election deposit; · The role of non-government organizations in assisting or checking the election; · Whether auditors should be appointed to check candidates’ campaign income and expenses; and · Who should decide where polling stations should be set up. The hearing, at City Hall, Narisorn Road, will begin at 1:30 pm.