Bangkok: The first day of registration for constituency Members of Parliament (MPs) concluded successfully with no reported issues, according to the Chairman of the Election Commission. He emphasized the need for adherence to campaigning rules and regulations, highlighting strict measures to curb vote buying and selling.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Narong Klanwarin, the Chairman of the Election Commission (EC), inspected the registration site at the Thai-Japanese Youth Center in Bangkok. He affirmed that the process of registering constituency MPs unfolded smoothly in Bangkok and other provinces. Preparations are also in place for party-list MP registration on December 28th.
In response to claims by the Pheu Thai Party regarding the collection of citizens' ID cards for monetary distribution, Mr. Narong mentioned he has not received any reports on this matter. He assured that such activities would be investigated if discovered. Provincial EC officials have been instructed to educate candidates and political parties on campaigning within the rules, with a particular focus on monitoring for vote buying.
Mr. Narong addressed the elections in the southern border provinces, noting that preparations are well underway, with candidate registration moved to safer locations. He reassured the public of coordinated efforts to ensure security and a fair election process, emphasizing that elections will proceed as planned nationwide.
Regarding the upcoming referendum, Mr. Narong stated there will be no advance voting, as prohibited by law. He urged public participation in the February 8th referendum, with registration for out-of-district voting scheduled from January 3-5, 2026. The EC is preparing for the referendum, pending the official question announcement by the Prime Minister by January 2, 2026. Campaigning to encourage voter participation is allowed, but candidates are prohibited from influencing voters' decisions.
Mr. Narong called for increased voter turnout compared to the 75 percent in 2023, emphasizing the importance of electing qualified and honest MPs to drive the country forward. He stressed that political parties should focus on policy-driven competition for the benefit of the people and the nation.