Thailand’s 'most complicated election in the world’

[reader]

From Thai PBS World

After the 250 junta-appointed senators complete their five-year term on May 10, they will be replaced by a 200-member Senate elected from thousands of candidates via a complex voting system that excludes full public participation.

Over 210,000 people have informed the Election Commission (EC) that they wish to run for election to the Senate, and the EC expects at least 100,000 candidates to contest.

However, the six rounds of voting required – two each at the district, provincial and national levels – means all 200 seats in the Upper House will not be filled until mid-July.

Critics describe the selection system as defined in the 2018 Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senators as “the most complicated in the world”. They say that without a national election by all eligible voters, the system will end up selecting senators who represent the applicants rather than the respective occupational groups as intended by the Constitution drafters.

In the interim, the current senators – who are prohibited by the Constitution from seeking another term – will take caretaker roles after their term expires, although they can no longer vote with MPs to select a new prime minister.

Under the current Constitution, in force since April 2017, the Senate consists of 200 members selected by and among “persons having the knowledge, expertise, experience, profession, or characteristics or common interests or working or having worked in varied areas of the society”. However, the charter’s transitory provisions state that during the first five years of the first Parliament, the Senate shall comprise 250 members appointed by the King upon the advice of the junta National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Continues at

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/a-guide-to-thailands-next-senate-and-the-most-complicated-election-in-the-world/

[Marc in Calif]

It's mystifying. I'd appreciate seeing a translation of this voting process -- in English that makes sense! 😉

[fedssocr]

sounds like a lottery with a 2500 baht entry ticket

[reader]

It was conceived by those in power to remain in power. And so far it's been quite successful.

[Keithambrose]

5 hours ago, reader said:

It was conceived by those in power to remain in power. And so far it's been quite successful.

Indeed, I can't see those in control giving up any time soon, despite what the popular vote  may say!

 

[vinapu]

9 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

Indeed, I can't see those in control giving up any time soon, despite what the popular vote  may say!

 

...until that popular vote will get impatient

[Keithambrose]

2 hours ago, vinapu said:

...until that popular vote will get impatient

The Army is still there! I see that the Constitutional Court is still moving to dissolve Pita's party, thus disenfranchising the largest part of the popular vote, on a laughable pretext. 

[vinapu]

7 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

The Army is still there! I see that the Constitutional Court is still moving to dissolve Pita's party, thus disenfranchising the largest part of the popular vote, on a laughable pretext. 

classic move from the handbook of Third World kleptocracies and post-Soviet autocracies