New Election Commission expected in March

BANGKOK, Feb 19 (TNA) -- Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, the Election Commissioner said that seven new Election Commissioners will be be in place for the Election Commission of Thailand after the National Legislative Assembly completes its approval process this Thursday. Mr Somchai stated that it takes the National Legislative Assembly 60 days to compete screening of the candidates. The names of the approved candidates will be announced on Thursday. Following this, the selected candidates are required to resign from their current positions within 15 days and present all related documentation to the National Legislative Assembly within 15 days after that or no later than March 9. Procedurally, the National Legislative Assembly will then call a meeting with all candidates to elect Chairman of the Election Commission. If everything goes as plan, the meeting should be held on March 14. The elected chairman is then responsible for presenting all the new members names for Royal approval by His Majesty the King by March 15. The time period for the Royal approval cannot be specified. When the Royal approval is official, the current members of the Election Commission will immediately end their duties. (TNA)