Bangkok: The Election Commission (EC) has formally requested a 75-day preparation period to conduct the first Thai-led House of Representatives election and a national referendum, marking a significant milestone in the country’s democratic process. The EC emphasized the importance of ensuring the referendum content is easily comprehensible to the public, avoiding complex legal language. The Cabinet is anticipated to submit the referendum question before the dissolution of the House of Representatives.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Sawaeng Boonmee, Secretary-General of the EC, highlighted the novelty of holding both an election and a referendum concurrently, describing it as a new experience for the Thai populace. While the exact date of the election remains undetermined, the EC has expressed readiness to conduct both events simultaneously or separately. The EC’s role as the final authority for conducting a referendum necessitates the Cabinet to submit the matter for their consideration. Under the prevailing law, the referendum must occur within a 60 to 150-day window, with efficient management potentially allowing for a same-day execution.
The process also involves constitutional amendments, requiring coordination among three main bodies: Parliament, the Cabinet, and the EC. The timeline for conducting the referendum remains uncertain as Parliament requires adequate time for submission. However, the EC is prepared to execute both the referendum and election concurrently, contingent on the collective allocation of a 60 to 150-day timeframe by Parliament, the Cabinet, and the EC. The EC has communicated its 75-day request to the Cabinet.
A critical aspect of the referendum process is ensuring public comprehension of the content, which must be presented in clear terms rather than legal jargon, enabling informed public decision-making. The EC is tasked with facilitating public forums for expression but does not create the referendum content.
Ballot logistics also require attention, with allocations needed for both constituency and party-list elections. The referendum will utilize a single ballot as stipulated by the Constitution. Information dissemination is crucial to ensure voters make informed decisions, akin to the submission of candidate lists for the House of Representatives. This process must adhere to the principles of non-influence, equality, and fairness.
The budget considerations include a transparent expenditure plan, with costs expected to rise if the referendum coincides with Election Day. The number of polling stations would increase from 90,000 to 120,000, with polling station committee members receiving enhanced wages due to extended working hours. This expansion necessitates additional staff, ballot boxes, and ballots, thereby increasing the budget allocation.
Internationally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will see an expanded role, particularly in managing overseas referendum vote counting, although MP ballots will still be sent to Thailand for counting. Mr. Sa-nguan clarified that advance voting will not apply to the referendum; voters will cast their referendum votes locally on Election Day.
The Prime Minister’s informal meeting with the EC underscored the need for two further meetings with the Cabinet, one addressing constitutional amendments and the other focusing on the election budget. The current governmental timeline sets the election for March 29, 2026, posing a challenge if pressured to hold it within 60 days. Thus, a minimum 75-day period is essential for the EC’s operations. A referendum on MOU 43-44 may also be required, necessitating effective time management.
“Assuming the election is scheduled for March 29th, but we’re told we need 75 days, Parliament and the Cabinet must allocate appropriate time to allow the Election Commission time to work. If Parliament delays the March 29th election, it will have to be postponed,” stated Mr. Sa-nguan.
Reporters noted that to align with the March 29, 2026 election date laid out by the government, the referendum question must be submitted to the EC by January 13, 2026, allowing for a 75-day preparation period. This schedule aligns with Parliament’s constitutional amendment timeline, expected to conclude by mid-December 2025.