BANGKOK, Jun 27 (NNN-TNA) – Thailand held the final round of voting for the Senate election, in the capital, Bangkok, yesterday, after the five-year term of outgoing senators ended in May.
Previously competing at the district and provincial levels across the country, 2,989 successful candidates advanced to the national Senate election, where they cast votes among themselves to elect the 200-member parliament’s upper house, according to the Thai Election Commission (EC).
Representing 20 categories of social and professional groups, 10 candidates who receive the most votes from each group will be elected as senators.
The vote counting continued until late yesterday, and the EC is expected to announce the official results by Jul 2.
Under the kingdom’s 2017 constitution, the new set of senators will no longer be empowered to elect a prime minister, like their predecessors. However, they will continue to take part in legislative duties, independent organisation appointments, and providing checks and balances to the government.– NNN-TNA
