Page 17 - รายงานผลการปฏิบัติงานคณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้งประจำปีงบประมาณ พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๗
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Election Commission of Thailand is an independent organ under
the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2560 (2017). This Constitution
stipulates that the Election Commission of Thailand must be independent and
politically neutral, with the objective of overseeing, managing, and monitoring
elections at both the national and local levels, including referendums, to ensure
honesty, fairness, and lawfulness. These responsibilities come with opportunities,
constraints, challenges, and obstacles that the Commission must address to gain
public trust.
In the fiscal year 2024 (B.E. 2567), the Election Commission of Thailand
and Office of the Election Commission of Thailand have critical missions to fulfill
according to Section 224 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2560.
These include upholding a democratic system with the King as Head of State
by conducting the Selection of Senators, organising Members of the House of
Representatives (Members of Parliament) by-elections for vacant positions,
and members of local assemblies or local administrators by-elections for vacant
positions. As the term of the previous senators ended on 10 May 2024 (B.E. 2567),
the Election Commission of Thailand then must proceed with the holding of
Selection of Senators. To this end, public communication and information
dissemination have been carried out to raise awareness and understanding among
citizens about the rationale, application process, steps, and procedures, for
selecting senators. The aim is also to emphasize the importance of the Selection of
Senators and public participation. As the procedures of the Selection of Senators
have changed under the Organic Act on the Selection of Senators, B.E. 2561 (2018),
strategies and preparations have been put in place to promote inclusive participation
and improve the quality of elections to address gaps in public understanding.
This includes encouraging people to take an active role in selecting qualified
representatives, developing election-related personnel into professionals, enhancing
investigation, inquiry, and adjudication staff, developing working systems, and
producing legal books, regulations, manuals, and forms for operational use.
Notably, this Selection of Senators’ process differs significantly from all previous
ones in Thailand’s history.
The Office of the Election Commission of Thailand has reviewed its 20-year
Strategic Plan, B.E. 2561 - 2580 (2018–2037, revised edition) to ensure its direction
aligns with the 20-year National Strategy, in the field of national security, master plans
under the National Strategy, the 13th National Economic and Social Development
Plan: the Value Chain under the National Strategy. These efforts are designed to fulfill
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รายงานผลการปฏิิบััติิงานคณะกรรมการการเลือกติั�ง ประจำำปีงบัประมาณ พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๗

