Bangkok: Mr. Saeng Boonmee, Secretary-General of the Election Commission (EC), has reassured the public of the transparency in the upcoming election and referendum processes. He emphasized that every step will be verifiable, with Thai citizens abroad permitted to photograph the vote counting process as long as they do not pressure officials.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Saeng addressed concerns surrounding the election, referendum, and vote counting outside Thailand. Thai citizens abroad have the right to document the vote counting and voting atmosphere, but must avoid disrupting officials or making them feel scrutinized. He also called for cooperation in the referendum campaign, noting that while freedom of expression is protected by law, it must not infringe upon the rights of others.

Mr. Saeng highlighted the current campaigning atmosphere, where individuals might feel pressured to express their agreement or disagreement. He stressed the importance of respecting public figures' rights and freedoms, particularly regarding opinions.

In response to questions about the Election Commission's transparency, Mr. Saeng outlined the EC's foundational principles: transparency and accountability, facilitating public participation, efficient budget management, and public involvement. He assured that the vote counts must accurately reflect the announced results, and verification processes at multiple levels will ensure this accuracy. The EC will collaborate with the media to report real-time results, with unofficial outcomes expected by 11 PM.

Mr. Saeng confirmed that the transparency of the process is paramount, with details about voter rights and vote counts publicly available at polling stations. These documents will also be accessible at provincial levels and through the computer system, allowing observers and political parties to verify the information nationwide.