Bangkok: The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has underscored the need for polling station officials to rigorously manage the distribution of ballot papers, owing to differing eligibility criteria for electing the governor and Bangkok City Council members. This directive was highlighted during an inspection by Mr. Thanit Tanbuakli, Deputy Permanent Secretary of BMA, at Khlong Sam Wa and Khan Na Yao District Offices ahead of the upcoming elections.
According to Thai News Agency, the inspection focused on assessing the readiness for election management and registration security, as Bangkok prepares for the election of Metropolitan Council members and the Governor on June 28, 2026. The meeting was attended by executives, civil servants, and staff from relevant district offices and agencies who reported on the preparations in place.
During the meeting, the Deputy Permanent Secretary reiterated the instructions from the Permanent Secretary, who serves as the Director of Local Elections for Bangkok. All BMA officials and personnel are required to maintain political neutrality while executing their duties. Preparations for managing voter registration, compiling voter lists, and verifying polling station locations were discussed to ensure a seamless election process. The meeting also involved exchanging ideas about the election, addressing issues, obstacles, and best practices from previous elections. Emphasis was placed on civil registration and general registration measures, particularly those involving foreigners, with a call for thorough verification and strict legal adherence.
Deputy Permanent Secretary Thanit highlighted that Khlong Sam Wa district has the highest number of polling stations in Bangkok, totaling 246, necessitating a focus on staff preparedness. The discrepancy in the number of eligible voters between the Governor and Councilor elections arises from differing eligibility requirements. BMA councilor election voters must have their name on the district's household registration for at least one year, while the Governor election uses Bangkok as a single constituency. This leads to approximately a 2,000 difference in eligible voters in Khlong Sam Wa. Polling station staff have been instructed to exercise caution in ballot distribution to prevent errors that could affect the vote count. Visual indicators and warning signs, such as slips or color-coded voter lists, are recommended to minimize errors.
Addressing discrepancies between the number of ballots and eligible voters, Deputy Permanent Secretary Thanit stated that the primary cause is the eligibility criteria difference for Governor and City Council elections. District offices have prepared measures to address this, focusing on training election officials and establishing systems to reduce ballot distribution errors. Relocation of polling stations has been implemented as per BMA Permanent Secretary instructions, with comprehensive public information dissemination through various channels to ensure citizens are informed.
In conclusion, Deputy Permanent Secretary Thanit emphasized the importance of neutrality among officials in election management. 'As election administrators and civil servants, it is our duty to remain neutral, work transparently, and uphold integrity to ensure smooth elections and public trust,' he stated.