The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched a get-out-the-vote campaign to encourage the city’s electorate to exercise their right to elect the new Bangkok governor and 50 new city councilors in the gubernatorial and council elections on June 28.
Hundreds of city officials have been mobilised in Bangkok’s 50 districts under the slogan “Bangkok Vote”.
Narong Ruangsri, the BMA permanent secretary, said today that he hopes the campaign will improve public awareness and help voters to appreciate the importance of local elections in the city’s development and in improving the quality of life for urban residents in the long run.
He reiterated that there will be no advance voting and all eligible voters are can elect the governor and 50 city councilors on June 28.
Two types of ballot will be available. Green ballots are to vote for governor and the pink ones are for the election of the city councilors. Voters whose names have been on the household registration for less than one year can vote for the governor only.
There are 4.5 million eligible voters in the city.
Narong assured that all relevant departments in city hall are ready for the election, having prepared the polling stations, the necessary equipment, ballot boxes, traffic and safety arrangements.
He also said that a training course is under way for officials who will be assigned to each polling stations, to familiarise them with the election rules and procedures.
Voters are encouraged to check their name on the registered voter lists, to make sure they are not accidentally dropped out by tomorrow the latest.
18 candidates, both independent and representing parties, have registered for the gubernatorial election. Former Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt has emerged as the frontrunner in all opinion polls so far.
There are 258 candidates vying for 50 seats in the city council, with one councilor representing a district.
