BANGKOK, 2 September 2014 – At the end of the National Reform Council (NRC)’s application period, the Election Commission (EC) reports the number of candidates at 6,729. The qualification process is now underway while the final selection will be made by September 22.
EC Secretary-General Phuchong Nutrawong stated that after the 20-day application process concluded today, a total of 6,729 individuals were found to have been nominated for a seat in the NRC by non-profit organizations. Out of all the applications received, nearly 4,000 were submitted to the central EC office and the rest to provincial offices throughout the country.
In terms of the number of applications filed in each of the 11 fields of reform, the highest number was seen in education, followed by miscellaneous affairs, social affairs, local administration, and public health and environment. The least applications were tendered in the field of media.
According to Mr Phuchong, the EC is currently cooperating with 14 other agencies in conducting qualification checks on the NRC nominees, with completion expected by September 12. The qualified names will be forwarded to the selection committees in a bid to narrow down the candidates to 50 persons for each of the 11 reform areas, or 550 persons in total. The number of candidates representing each province will also be slashed to five.
By September 22, 250 of the finalists will be handpicked by the National Council for Peace and Order as NRC members and their names are to be presented for royal endorsement by October 2.
