Bangkok: The Secretary-General of the Election Commission has provided a detailed explanation regarding the guidelines for conducting elections simultaneously across the Kingdom. Exceptions to this rule may occur only under circumstances of necessity or if martial law is declared.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Saeng Boonmee, the Secretary-General, emphasized that elections held at different times would be considered invalid, resulting in a significant waste of resources and undermining the legitimacy of the election results. This would negatively impact public funds, private assets, candidates, political parties, and opportunities for national development.
Mr. Saeng further elaborated that in the event of necessity, elections could still be held on the same day nationwide, even beyond the Kingdom’s borders. The primary approach involves adhering to the original election date set by the Election Commission, as stipulated in Section 103 of the Constitution, which requires elections to be held within 60 days following the dissolution of parliament. Alternatively, if necessary, elections could be rescheduled under Section 104 of the Constitution, but must occur within 30 days after the necessity has ended.
Regarding the impact of martial law on elections, Mr. Saeng noted that martial law could be declared due to threats from within or outside the country, potentially affecting the entire Kingdom or specific areas. Whether such a declaration constitutes a necessary reason under Section 104 must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering each declaration’s substance and impact on the election process. It is essential to determine if a declaration qualifies as a necessary reason before applying the guidelines from Section 104. Regardless of martial law declarations, the Election Commission is obligated to announce election dates according to Sections 102 or 103 before invoking Section 104 when the parliament’s term expires.