Elected governors should be a cornerstone of reforms

The direct election of provincial governors is perhaps the most popular reform measure that could be recommended by the National Reform Commission (NRC), and is the most likely to have an impact on improving governance and reducing conflict in society. In an Asia Foundation survey in 2009 three-quarters of Thais across the country (in other words, across political “colour” boundaries) supported elected governors.

It’s not surprising that appointed officials question whether the elected governors would be as competent as their appointed counterparts, but empirical evidence from across the globe demonstrates that decentralisation improves governance. As one of numerous examples, in recent times an elected mayor in Surakarta, Indonesia did such a good job he was drafted in to run for governor of Jakarta. He won that election and provided such good governance there that he is now president of the country.

The worry that decentralisation will make political parties too powerful is misplaced, as electing governors will actually weaken political parties in some ways. But it will also make them more meaningful, and has the potential to reduce political polarisation and conflict. Currently, if a political party loses national elections it has no say or role in government beyond opposition, and the winner-take-all elections contribute to the fierce and uncompromising nature of political competition in Thailand.

If political parties could win governorships in at least some provinces they would have some political power and a base from which to strengthen their party and build a track record of good governance for the next national election. In a winner-takes-all system, parties lacking a national majority have little incentive to participate. With the possibility of a share in government through elected governors, they would be more likely to participate, and to accept the outcome of elections.

With over-centralised government the party in power can redirect resources from provinces which oppose it to those provinces which support it, but with decentralisation each province is more responsible for using its own resources locally, thereby reducing conflict between provinces and regions. Decentralisation might also reduce conflict in the South, as another Asia Foundation survey conducted in 2010 revealed that a majority of the population there thought that local self-government would probably end the conflict.

For all of these reasons the NRC should consider elected governors.

Tim Meisburger

Regional director, 

Elections and Political Processes, 

The Asia Foundation