Bangkok: "Siroj" has outlined the voting procedure for electing the Speaker and Deputy Speakers of the House.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Siroj Patayapan, Secretary-General of the House of Representatives, explained that the election process could take up to 2.5 hours per position if there are nominations, as the voting will be conducted via secret ballot. The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is set to finalize its nominations for the Speaker and Chief Opposition Whip, with a meeting scheduled for tomorrow.

Mr. Patayapan clarified that Mr. Pairoj Lohsuntorn, a party-list MP from the Pheu Thai Party, will serve as the interim Speaker. A rehearsal is planned before the voting on March 15, and initial instructions for the interim Speaker's duties have been disseminated. The duration of the voting process for the Speaker and three Deputy Speakers hinges on the presence of competing nominations. In cases where a single candidate is nominated for each position, a vote will not be necessary; rather, nominees will have 10 minutes to present their visions to the assembly, which will expedite the process.

If multiple nominations arise, the election will proceed with a secret ballot as per regulations. This involves MPs lining up alphabetically, receiving ballots, casting votes in booths, and depositing them. A committee, comprising representatives from each party, will be tasked with counting the votes. Reports suggest that the People's Party intends to nominate candidates for both Speaker and potentially a Deputy Speaker. The party will convene tomorrow to finalize its nominations for Speaker and Chief Opposition Whip.