The EC Secretary expects that many more Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) presidents will resign before their terms end. He warned those who are in office and meet the criteria of 180 days before their terms end to use the budget to help with disasters, be careful of the risk of being accused of favoring them to be elected. The election date for small fields is expected to be 26 Jan or 2 Feb 68. He emphasized that the referendum is ready to select PAOs, which is not appropriate.

Mr. Saeng Boonmee, Secretary-General of the Election Commission, gave an interview on the election of the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) president, saying that today, 3 provinces have already elected, which resulted from resignations before the end of their terms. It is expected that there will be more resignations before the end of their terms on December 19, 2024, which means that some provinces will have 2 elections: the PAO president will be elected first, and then the PAO members will be elected again.
If the PAO presidents complete their terms, they will be able to hold elections together.

‘Today, we still cannot answer how many more provinces will have PAO presidents resign before their terms end because resignations are beyond our control. However, we have some news that there will likely be many more provinces resigning, which will not be an obstacle to organizing the PAO president or PAO member elections. Whether we elect them together or separately, we are ready. However, it may affect the budget. Overall, the major elections will be after the end of the term on December 19, 2024. However, on which day, there is already a schedule of what we will do in the next 45 days.’

When asked about the plan to prevent the problem of organizing the activities of the candidates, which would cause a new election like what happened in Pathum Thani Province, Mr. Sa-wang said that whether it is a general election or an election to replace a vacant position, the EC has measures to prevent incidents that would lead to
unfair and unjust elections, which is a collaboration of all parties involved. However, the candidates themselves may hope to win, so they go beyond the law. This kind of thing is becoming less and less, whether at the local or national level. However, he is not confident in this matter and has measures to take care of it, looking at each province. Some provinces may not have a competition because there is only one candidate.

When asked if the time period for the PAO to be unable to use the budget for activities that benefit the campaign is now in effect, Mr. Sa-wang said that the 180-day period before the end of the term, if done according to the annual budget plan, can still be done because it is still considered the PAO president. He must take care of the people. But if it goes beyond that, we have to see what it is. Does it encourage voters to vote? Is it abnormal? We have to look at each issue. I think we have to be careful. Sometimes they may do the right thing, but because of uncertainty, sometimes th
ey resign to avoid the 180 days. But there is not only one reason for resignation. There are also political reasons in the area. That makes it impossible for us to predict which PAO presidents will resign.

When asked whether disaster relief might be used for benefits, Mr. Sa-wang said that in reality, anyone can help with floods, but it must be considered that when an election is announced, it must be within the law on campaigning. However, for those who already have positions to help the people, it must be considered whether the assistance is included in the budget plan or not.

‘The flood relief is probably not in the budget plan of the Provincial Administrative Organization. But since it happened suddenly, we will have to see if the relief is appropriate because they have a duty to help. Therefore, we can look at the facts separately. If you ask if there is a risk of complaints, I think there will definitely be complaints. But we can be fair,’ said Mr. Saeng.

Mr. Sa-wang also mentioned about the referend
um on the amendment of the constitution that the EC has a duty to hold a referendum on which matter according to the Cabinet’s approval. The EC will have a work calendar. If a referendum is proposed along with the election of the Provincial Administrative Organizations, it can be done according to theory and administration. However, in terms of law, there may be a problem that the voters are very similar. In some provinces, the Provincial Administrative Organization president has already been elected. It is expected that the budget may be used twice as much. At present, there is still no clarity on the referendum law. Therefore, it is seen that doing one or the other would be a better approach, such as electing only the Provincial Administrative Organizations on a different day from the referendum.

It was reported that in the case of the election of the mayor and members of the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) in the case of the expiration of the term on December 19, 2024, which must be held with
in 45 days, it is expected that the election day may be set for Sunday, January 26, 2025 or Sunday, February 2, 2025.

Source: Thai News Agency