Bangkok: Local elections have witnessed a significant drop in voter turnout, attributed to inconvenience and the scheduling of the election on a Saturday. Suan Dusit Poll indicates that local elections are increasingly perceived as less appealing, prompting questions about the effectiveness of the Election Commission's public relations efforts.
According to Thai News Agency, a survey conducted by Suan Dusit University, Suan Dusit Poll, involved 1,386 participants nationwide. The survey, titled 'Local Election Aftermath,' was conducted both online and in the field from February 4-7, 2025. It revealed that only 63.28 percent of the sample voted in the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) president election on February 1, 2025. Meanwhile, 36.72 percent abstained due to work commitments. A significant 68.99 percent of non-voters cited inconvenience and travel difficulties as reasons for abstention, with 47.18 percent attributing it to the Saturday election date. Furthermore, 52.89 percent of respondents noted that local elections differ from national elections as local candidates better understand community issues and are more connected to the people. Despite the low turnout, 54.91 percent of respondents observed a trend of innovative thinking in selecting local administrators, with long-term impacts on provincial development yet to be seen.
Ms. Pornpan Buathong, president of Suan Dusit Poll, commented on the election aftermath, emphasizing the complexity of local power dynamics. The decrease in voters, compounded by the election's timing and questions about the Election Commission's public relations, has raised public concerns. The election underscored a public preference for leaders who are closely connected to their communities, rather than those with broad policy agendas typical of national politics.
Asst. Prof. Anchalee Rattana from Suan Dusit University highlighted that the February 1, 2025, voter turnout statistics indicate the Election Commission's shortcomings in encouraging political participation. Only 58 percent of eligible voters participated, compared to 62.86 percent in the 2020 provincial elections. The survey identified that work commitments and the Saturday election date hindered voter turnout, particularly for those in private sector jobs.
Asst. Prof. Anchalee also noted the repercussions for those who abstained from voting, such as restrictions on exercising their voting rights for two years unless they provided a valid reason within a specified period. The presence of 900,000 spoiled ballots signaled failures in communication and public relations, with a focus seemingly more on the Election Commission's administrative convenience. Even among those who voted but chose to mark 'no vote,' a lack of confidence in candidates was evident, despite their affiliations with major political parties.