Bangkok: The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) has reiterated its guidelines for the preparation and placement of election campaign signs for parliamentary elections, with a strong emphasis on safety and orderliness. The commission has stressed that these signs should not obstruct visibility or block traffic, ensuring public safety during the election period.
According to Thai News Agency, the ECT reminded all parliamentary candidates and political parties to strictly adhere to the commission's announcement regarding criteria and methods for setting up election notices and signs for the 2023 parliamentary elections. The guidelines aim to maintain order and prevent any hazards on roads or to traffic.
Candidates and political parties must follow specific guidelines when producing campaign posters. Each poster must not exceed 130 centimeters in width and 245 centimeters in length. Important details such as the name, surname, address of the employer or producer, quantity, and date of production must be clearly displayed. A candidate is allowed to produce a maximum of twice the number of posters corresponding to the number of polling stations in a given constituency. Meanwhile, political parties are restricted to producing no more than the number of campaign signs equal to the number of polling stations in the province.
The placement of campaign signs is also strictly regulated. Signs must be installed only in areas pre-designated by the Provincial Election Director. These areas should be suitable public spaces or government-owned places that ensure appropriateness, orderliness, cleanliness, safety, and structural integrity. Importantly, signs must not obstruct views, pose dangers to the public or vehicles, block pedestrian or traffic pathways, or cause damage to property.
If a candidate or political party fails to comply with these regulations, the head of the responsible agency has the authority to order corrections within five days of notification. Failure to make the necessary corrections within this period allows the provincial election director to order the removal or demolition of the signs, or to instruct another agency to do so at the expense of the candidate or political party. This may lead to further investigation or inquiry by the Election Commission, in line with relevant regulations.
The ECT urges all parliamentary candidates and political parties to comply with these laws and regulations to ensure that election campaigning is conducted in an orderly manner that does not compromise public safety.