EC target : 62% of eligible voters to exercise rights in Bangkok governor’s election

Written by Writer on Saturday, October 4th, 2008

EC target : 62% of eligible voters to exercise rights in Bangkok governor’s election

BANGKOK, Oct 3 (TNA) — Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) has set the target of 62 per cent of eligible voters in Bangkok would cast votes to elect governor for Bangkok this Sunday, a similar percentage to the previous election held four years ago, according to Election Commissioner Prapan Naikowit on Friday.

As daily rainfall continues to envelop the capital, nine polling booths in flooded areas have been moved, but not far from the previous sites, to make it more convenient for voters to cast their ballots to elect the governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), said Mr. Prapan.

He urged all eligible Bangkokians to go to the polling booths on Sunday because the post of BMA governorship is vital as the successful candidate must administer a budget of over Bt60 billion annually.

Touching on complaints lodged by Bangkok gubernatorial candidate Chuwit Kamolvisit against Apirak Kosayodhin, former BMA governor who is seeking re-election, over his campaign posters and distribution of WiFi cards to the public, Mr. Prapan said the EC had not yet received formal charges, but if Mr. Apirak wins Sunday’s election and is later found guilty, he would be removed from his post.

However, if the complaints were found to be groundless, the plaintiff will be charged with violating Article 57 of the elections code, he said.

The BMA under Mr. Apirak in June this year joined major company True Corporation in offering 500,000 wireless Internet access cards free of charge to the public under its Green Bangkok WiFi campaign. The initiative was part of the BMA’s Bangkok Green Agenda using wireless Internet technology to reduce energy consumption and help create a sustainable and livable city of the future. (TNA)