Bangkok: The Secretary-General of the Election Commission of Thailand has expressed concern over the low voter turnout in the ongoing elections and is calling on the public to participate.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Saeng Boonmee, the Secretary-General of the Election Commission, exercised his voting rights at polling station 56, located in front of Tor Ruamchok Village, Chokchai 4 Soi 54, Intersection 4, Lat Phrao Subdistrict, Lat Phrao District. His voting process was completed in approximately five minutes, and he was greeted by officials upon arrival.
After casting his vote, Mr. Saeng acknowledged the low turnout for the Bangkok Metropolitan Council and Bangkok Governor elections. He urged eligible citizens to exercise their right to vote, emphasizing the importance of electing representatives to manage the city effectively. With just three hours remaining before polls close, Mr. Saeng expressed hope that the voter turnout would reach at least 60%, although it falls short of the initial 70% target.
Mr. Saeng also highlighted concerns regarding the vote counting process, particularly the potential disruption caused by strong winds and rain. Contingency plans are in place to address these challenges. He expects the unofficial results to be available before 10:00 PM, with official results expected within seven days.
As a resident of Bangkok, Mr. Saeng expressed his hopes for the new governor to bring happiness to its citizens and elevate Bangkok's status on the global stage. He noted that no election law violations had been reported throughout the morning.