The polls have opened in the by-election in Phitsanulok province’s Constituency 1, to replace Padipat Suntiphada of the now-defunct Move Forward party, who was stripped of his MP status by the Constitutional Court.
This by-election is a competition between the ruling Pheu Thai party and the People’s party, the successor to the court-dissolved Move Forward party.
Although only a single parliamentary seat is at stake, political observers have branded the by-election “a battle of dignity”. Both parties have rolled out their key leaders to campaign in the province, with Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut campaigning for the first time as leader of the People’s party.
The two candidates are Natachanon Chanaburanasak of the People’s party and Jadet Jantar of the Pheu Thai party.
Election Commission Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong stated that the results of the by-election, voting for which is being held between 8am and 5pm across 208 polling stations, are expected to be known before 9pm. There are 138,700 eligible voters.
