Nakhon Ratchasima: The recent election of the Provincial Administrative Organization president has seen a significant increase in spoiled ballots and ballots that did not select any candidate across various provinces. In Nakhon Ratchasima Province alone, the number of ballots not voting reached a staggering 100,000, accounting for 9.60% of the total votes. Similarly, in Chiang Mai and Songkhla, more than 50,000 ballots did not register a vote for any candidate.
According to Thai News Agency, the election held on February 1, 2015, revealed that several provinces reported high numbers of spoiled ballots and ballots without a candidate preference. In Nakhon Ratchasima, 1,155,142 individuals exercised their right to vote, with 972,902 valid ballots counted. However, 71,306 ballots (6.17%) were spoiled, and 110,934 ballots (9.60%) did not select any candidate.
Maha Sarakham Province saw 453,567 voters, resulting in 408,108 valid ballots, 29,007 spoiled ballots, and 16,452 ballots showing no preference. In Chiang Mai, of the 877,640 voters, 778,227 ballots were valid, while 41,798 were spoiled and 57,625 did not indicate a candidate preference.
Chiang Rai reported 525,928 valid ballots from 605,780 voters, with 36,446 spoiled ballots (6.02%) and 43,406 ballots with no preference (7.17%). In Yala Province, 224,707 individuals voted, producing 176,840 valid ballots, 18,533 spoiled ballots (8.25%), and 29,334 ballots without a candidate preference (13.05%).
In Songkhla Province, 687,944 voters participated, with 572,496 valid votes, 28,593 spoiled ballots (4.16%), and a notable 86,855 ballots not choosing any candidate (12.63%). Samut Prakan saw 547,604 valid ballots from 569,659 voters, with 22,055 spoiled and 42,142 showing no preference.
Nonthaburi had 432,613 voters, resulting in 382,782 valid ballots, 12,268 spoiled ballots, and 37,562 with no candidate preference (8.68%). Suphan Buri reported 353,460 valid ballots from 393,849 voters, with 16,274 spoiled and 24,113 not electing anyone.
Kamphaeng Phet had 272,278 voters and 236,084 valid ballots, with 14,712 spoiled and 21,482 not selecting a candidate. Lamphun recorded 212,777 valid ballots from 242,381 voters, with 15,131 spoiled ballots (6.24%) and 14,473 not choosing any candidate (5.97%).
The high number of spoiled ballots is attributed to reasons such as improper marking, selecting non-existent candidates, or decisions made by the vote-counting committee. Meanwhile, the significant number of ballots with no candidate preference is mainly due to the voters' dissatisfaction with the available candidates.