2 weeks Ago
Thailand is set for major provincial elections early next year, after the four-year terms of their administrative leaders and councillors end in December. Although local voting has always been linked with local issues, it needs more attention as the country heads more in the direction of local governance and decentralisation. In terms of politics, local politicians will play an increasingly important role in providing the necessary checks and balances on their national counterparts.
Therefore, it is time for the Election Commission (EC) to look into proposals by academics and the civic sector to extend advance voting to include voters unable to return home on polling day. As well as providing the incentive of convenience, the move would also help to raise turnout in these local contests. Under current election laws, the EC is responsible for arranging advance and overseas voting only for national general elections, while voting in local polls is limited to the designated date and venue.
As the independent agency responsible for promoting democracy, the EC has a duty to provide voters with convenience and promote democratic voting at all levels. Currently local voting cannot be said to enjoy the same level of concern, suffering low turnout and insisting that all eligible voters must return if they want a say in elections in their hometowns. A glaring example of this is the low turnout for most PAO elections including those in Ang Thong and Ayutthaya earlier this year.
Only recent PAO polls in Pathum Thani and Ratchaburi, in which two rivals fiercely engaged in hot contests, have been an exception. This is in stark contrast to the overwhelming turnout in the 2023 national elections where over 75% of those eligible cast their ballots. It should be said that there is no advance and overseas voting for by-elections, either.
This was the case for the recent by-election in Phitsanulok to replace red-carded Padipat Suntipada, whose old Move Forward Party (MFP) was dissolved in August by the charter court over its Section 112 amendment attempt. Low voter turnout, resulting from an absence of advance voting, is mostly accompanied by complaints about rampant vote buying. Needless to say, a high voter turnout makes it more difficult to engineer vote buying and also vote rigging.
It's within the EC's power to amend the law to adopt advance voting in local polls. The EC usually cites cost to justify its reluctance to make any such provisions. Another reason is the deeply ingrained belief that local politics should be driven by the voices of voters who actually live in the area not those who, although eligible, reside elsewhere.
Neither argument should be used as an excuse. After all, it is the duty of a democratic government and polling agencies to find ways to encourage more people to vote. Of course, EC and officials will need to do more work and also the country will have to finance advance voting for local elections.
Yet old politics, riddled with nepotism and graft, has already cost the country a lot more. Not to mention that the state is obliged to facilitate those wishing to exercise their right. In the long term, the poll agency should take advantage of technology that would allow voters to cast ballots from anywhere without worrying about travel cost or leave from work.
The poll agency should start studying and laying the groundwork for an E-voting system. With good oversight, it can reduce resources and increase voter turnout. Equally important is the possibility that high voter turnouts may help Thailand break the cycle of bahn yai politics, in which key political families with extensive networks hold on to power.
Old politics as well as local political dynasties make use of local strong connections and local canvassers to mobilise -- if not overtly pressure local voters into casting ballots for their favoured candidates. No matter what the outcome is, it is about time the EC makes voting, regardless of the tier, more convenient and efficient. Partaking in a democratic movement should not be a taxing experience.
The poll agency -- under constant criticism to improve its performance -- could earn back some trust. Enabling advance voting for every level of local elections, and strengthening scrutiny mechanisms, should begin immediately as priorities within its remit..
