Bangkok: The Election Commission has reiterated the crucial importance of political campaign proposals clearly explaining their sources of funding. This was emphasized by the ECT Secretary-General, who confirmed that such information will be accessible to the public prior to the election. The Commission clarified that its role is limited to making observations and it does not possess the authority to unilaterally cancel any policies.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Saeng Boonmee, Secretary-General of the Election Commission, addressed the media following a committee meeting that reviewed political parties' policies and campaign advertising expenditures. During the session, it was revealed that 51 parties had submitted their proposals, while 17 parties were still pending. Mr. Saeng expressed confidence that all submissions would be completed by the end of the month. The committee plans to make their observations on the policies public, ensuring clarity for the electorate by aiming to condense the information into a two-page summary per party, especially given the complexities related to financial and public debt issues.

Mr. Saeng responded to queries about the feasibility of party policies, noting that while some projects may appear feasible, their value and risk must be carefully considered. He insisted that the Commission's role is not to revoke policies but to provide observations. He highlighted that the parties were instructed to clearly categorize and explain their funding sources, distinguishing between budgetary allocations and special funds.

When questioned about the potential influence of the Commission's observations on public decision-making, Mr. Saeng acknowledged that such observations could indeed impact voters, possibly shifting their preferences from mere policy approval to considering the Commission's insights. He emphasized the importance of transparency, suggesting that parties themselves might leverage these observations during their campaigns.

Finally, Mr. Saeng addressed concerns about policies potentially conflicting with fiscal discipline, clarifying that the Commission's observations serve as guidance rather than judgments of compliance or non-compliance.