Sisaket: The Election Commission is vigilantly observing developments along the Thai-Cambodian border as preparations are underway for the upcoming by-election in Constituency 5, Sisaket Province, scheduled for August 10. Mr. Ittiporn Boonprakong, the Chairman of the Election Commission (EC), has highlighted the importance of monitoring the situation closely due to the proximity of 46 polling stations to the border area.
According to Thai News Agency, the by-election is being held to fill a vacant position for the Member of Parliament in Constituency 5, which includes Khun Han and Phusing Districts. Khun Han District comprises 150 polling units, 21 of which are located 4-10 kilometers from the border, while Phusing District has 86 polling units, with 25 situated near the border.
The EC office is in continuous contact with district chiefs, who serve as district ECs, regarding security measures and election preparations. The legal framework, as outlined in the Organic Act on the Election of Members of Parliament, Section 102, provides guidelines for handling situations where voting may be disrupted due to unforeseen events. In cases where voting cannot proceed, district ECs are authorized to designate alternative polling stations or, if necessary, suspend voting and inform the EC to determine a new election date or issue other directives to ensure a fair election process.
Section 102 of the organic election law specifies procedures for instances where voting is impeded by factors such as riots, natural disasters, or other urgent reasons. Should such an event occur before election day, the constituency's Election Commission is tasked with identifying a new polling location. If this is not feasible, they must announce a suspension of voting and report the situation promptly to the central Election Commission to arrange a suitable course of action.