Bangkok: The Election Commission (EC) has issued a public notice urging prospective candidates to verify their qualifications before applying for positions within the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) from December 23 to 27, 2019. The commission has warned that individuals aware of their ineligibility who still choose to apply will face severe consequences.
According to Thai News Agency, the EC has outlined the qualifications and disqualifications necessary for candidates seeking roles as provincial administrative organization council members or presidents. These qualifications will be officially announced between December 23 and 27, 2024, with the election scheduled for February 1, 2025. Key requirements include Thai nationality by birth, a minimum age of 25 for council members and 35 for presidents on election day, and a residency requirement of at least one year within the relevant PAO area as per the election application date.
Candidates for the PAO presidency must possess a bachelor’s degree
or its equivalent, or have prior experience as a member of the Provincial Council, Provincial Administrative Organization Council, local administrator, or parliament. No specific educational qualifications are set for council member applicants.
Prohibited characteristics for candidates include ownership or significant shares in a newspaper or media business, restrictions as outlined in the Local Government Election Act 2019, Section 39, religious engagements such as being a monk or cleric, ongoing revocation of voting rights cases, mental instability, temporary suspension from candidature, recent imprisonment within five years prior to the election (except for minor offenses), and current civil service or political positions.
Applicants must submit necessary documents to the Election Director of the PAO, including an ID card, proof of residence, a medical certificate, a photograph, educational proof, and evidence of tax payments for the years 2021 to 2023. Applicants not paying taxes must provide a written
explanation. Application fees are set at 2,000 baht for council members and 30,000 baht for PAO presidents.
The EC emphasized the legal repercussions for knowingly submitting applications with unqualified or prohibited characteristics. Penalties under Section 120 of the Local Council or Local Government Election Act include imprisonment from 1 to 10 years, fines ranging from 20,000 to 200,000 baht, and potential 20-year voting right revocation. Further details can be accessed through the Local Council Election Act B.E. 2562 (Amended No. 2) B.E. 2566 (2019), the Provincial Administrative Organization Act B.E. 2540 (Amended to No. 5) B.E. 2562 (2019), or the EC website. Additional inquiries can be directed to provincial administrative organizations, provincial EC offices, or the hotline at 1444.