The number of people seeking positions as constituency election chiefs and officers was far below expectations, said Prawing Kachachiwa, an EC deputy secretary-general.

People were reluctant to serve as officials for fear of being sued by disgruntled candidates, he said. Also, the money was poor.

Each constituency must have an EC chief and nine officials. Prawing said the commission hoped to attract as many as three applications for election chief in each constituency - or 1,200. Just 737 people nationwide had showed interest when applications closed on August 11.

There was slightly more interest in positions as election officials. The office had hoped for at least 18 applicants per seat. But just 6,200 people applied, or an average of 15.

Although the number of applications was less than ideal, the names would be submitted to the new Election Commissioners, who have yet to be voted on by the Senate.

Prawing explained that in 116 seats just one candidate applied for the position of constituency chief. One hundred and sixty-three seats saw the optimum number of three hopefuls.

Breaking down applications for election officers, 12 constituencies saw just nine people apply, or half the optimum number. In another 333, between 10 and 18 applications were received.

Prawing would seek a payment increase when the next commissioners were sworn in.

Atthayuth Butsripoom

The Nation