Bangkok: The Cabinet has given its approval for a draft royal decree concerning the Nakhon Si Thammarat by-election, scheduled for May 4. The decision was announced without discussions on whether the original parties will have the exclusive right to field candidates.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jirayu Huangtrakul, the spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office, stated that the cabinet meeting resolved to approve the draft royal decree for electing a member of the House of Representatives for Nakhon Si Thammarat Constituency 8. This by-election is to fill the vacancy created in the constituency, with candidate applications open from April 7 to April 11.
This development follows the Election Commission's petition to the Supreme Court regarding Ms. Mukdawan Leungsinil, the MP for Constituency 8, who was found to have violated the Organic Act on the Election of Members of Parliament. The Supreme Court decided to revoke her voting rights for 10 years due to dishonesty and unfair practices.
Discussions on whether coalition parties, including those that originally held the area, will have the right to run without sending new candidates were not covered in the cabinet meeting. Mr. Chirayu noted that the Prime Minister, as the leader of the core party, must engage in discussions with coalition party leaders regarding candidate nominations.