Bangkok: The Election Commission has provided clarification regarding the requirement for voters to present their national ID cards twice during the upcoming elections. The commission explained that the voter registration list for the general election and the referendum list are distinct, necessitating the presentation of ID cards for both processes.
According to Thai News Agency, Sub-Lieutenant Phasakon Siriphakayaporn, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission (EC), emphasized the importance of collaboration with partner agencies and media organizations to report election results swiftly after the polls close. The EC aims to ensure that the reporting process is rapid, with results starting to appear publicly as soon as vote counting begins. The responsibility of verifying and officially reporting the results lies with the EC, which expressed gratitude to all parties contributing to the smooth operation of its mission.
The proposal by Associate Professor Dr. Prinya Tevanarumitkul suggested that voters should only need to present their national ID card once for both parliamentary elections and referendums. However, the EC clarified the necessity of presenting separate ID cards due to differences in voter lists at each polling station. Regular elections involve both advance voting and referendums, while referendums are not conducted in advance but outside designated districts. Despite this requirement, the EC confirmed that the proposal would be considered to enhance voter convenience.
Addressing potential misunderstandings regarding candidate numbers in constituency-based parliamentary elections, where ballot papers do not include candidate names, Mr. Saweang Boonmee, Secretary-General of the Election Commission, has directed polling stations to display signs with candidate numbers and pictures.
The announcement of the list of qualified candidates for Member of Parliament, both for constituency and party-list systems, was also highlighted. Candidates not included in the list, who are confident of their qualifications, have the right to petition the Supreme Court within seven days. Similarly, the public can petition the Election Commission to investigate candidates they believe may lack qualifications or possess disqualifying characteristics.