Wake-up call for voters

As nationwide elections for municipality mayors and council members are approaching, concerns are mounting amid the relatively low level of public enthusiasm for the polls that fall on May 11.

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Such concerns should not be dismissed. Instead, an immediate response is required from the Election Commission (EC) to improve the situation and encourage more people to participate.

Some observers have raised concerns over the EC’s lacklustre election campaigns in some provinces that could end in unfavourable poll results.

The EC must heed such concerns and adjust its tactics, doing more to enliven the poll campaigns and heighten public awareness to help secure a high voter turnout.

The poll agency is aiming for 70%, up from 66% in the 2021 polls. Yet the lack of enthusiasm on the part of eligible voters could dash the EC’s hopes for the elections set to take place in 2,469 municipalities in 76 provinces, except Bangkok.

There are 4,558 candidates for mayors, and 60,521 for municipal councils.