EC hurries local poll rules

EC hurries local poll rules

The Election Commission (EC) is stepping up efforts to draw up a set of regulations to prepare for elections of local administrative bodies which are expected to begin in September.

EC chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong said the regulations are in line with six laws related to local elections which were enacted on April 17.

The regulations must be drawn up by August, said Mr Ittiporn, adding that the cabinet will set the dates for local elections and determine where local elections will be held first. He said the poll agency will then decide when candidates for local elections will be allowed to campaign.

Previously, the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) issued orders to suspend elections of local bodies which had completed their tenures. The NCPO claimed the suspension was aimed at preventing political unrest.

But after the March general election, the EC sent letters to directors of its Bangkok and provincial branches to prepare for the election of members and executives of local councils expected to take place from Sept 1 following the enactment of the six laws, a source said.

The source added that the Bangkok governor election will likely take place early next year, followed by the election of the presidents of provincial administrative organisations (PAOs), the municipality elections and the election of tambon administrative bodies.

The six laws related to local elections are: the law on the election of members and executives of local councils; the law on PAOs; the law City Hall; the law on tambon councils and tambon administrative organisations; the law on municipalities; and the law on Pattaya City's administration.

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