Boonsong defends overseas trip ‘advantageous’
The Election Commission (EC) defended a controversial trip to Japan and Korea last week saying the so-called study trip was necessary and most organisations undertake such expeditions.
“It is not against any rules,” said Boonsong Noisophon, an election commissioner, said on Tuesday.
The overseas trip was part of an advanced management course provided by the EC.
Boonsong said he was responsible for the four-day expedition that the course candidates attended. The trip covered seven locations where the group learned about election systems, elections and campaigns, he said.
“The Japanese [election] system is very good,” Boonsong said. “[The trip] was indeed very advantageous.”
Pol Col Jarungwit Pumma, acting secretary general of the EC, said that the course candidates would make a presentation on March 21 on what they learned from the trip and how they would adapt it to the local election.
“Personally, I have gained a lot of advantages and got many new perspectives,” Jarungwit said. “I also got the chance to meet with the Korean EC as well as the Association of World Election Bodies.”
He added that the expedition had provided new perspectives for high-ranking EC officials.
He said that Japan’s election could not be fully understood if the EC did not visit the country and see its origins.