EC sets regulations for the election of senators

The regulation, which was published on the Royal Gazette website on Friday, stipulates that an election must be held at least 30 days before the terms of the current senators end.

The regulation said provincial EC directors must coordinate with provincial governors and district chiefs in appointing personnel to the election committee at provincial and district levels.

The application of candidates for senator positions will start within 15 days of the Royal Decree on Election of Members of the Senate coming into effect. Applications must be submitted within 5 to 7 days.

The election date at the district level must be within 20 days of the application deadline, while provincial level election will take place within seven days of the district election date.

National level election will take place within 10 days of the provincial election date.

Under the 2018 Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senators, candidates for senator positions will be divided into 20 groups based on occupations and/or other qualifications:

1. Government administration and national security

2. Law and justice system

3. Education

4. Public health

5. Crop farming

6. Forestry, fishery and animal farming

7. Private employees and manual workers

8. Environment, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources and energy

9. SME operators

10. Non-SME operators

11. Tourism and hospitality

12. Industrial operators

13. Science, technology, communication and innovation development

14. Women

15. Elders, the disabled and other ethnic groups

16. Art, culture, music, entertainment, and sports

17. Civil society and NGOs

18. Journalists and authors

19. Self-employed persons

20. Other groups

The current batch of senators consists of 250 members who were appointed by the King under approval of the National Council for Peace and Order since May 11, 2019.