BANGKOK, 14 January 2014 The Election Commission (EC) has reported that the overseas absentee voting is being conducted smoothly in 67 countries, with no irregularities or disturbances found to date.
EC Secretary-General Phuchong Nutrawong said he had been informed by the Department of Consular Affairs of details concerning the casting of ballots by Thai nationals residing overseas, such as the poll venue and the number of eligible voters in each area. There are a total of 92 Thai embassies and consulates in 67 countries that are hosting the overseas voting from January 13-26 and ballot papers have been delivered to all of them by Thai Airways International.
On the first day of voting, Mr Phuchong revealed that Thai citizens everywhere continuously turned out to vote and the atmosphere was peaceful. There were no reports of attempts to disturb the election or violations of electoral laws.
The cast ballots will be collected by the Thai embassy in each country and will be shipped back to Thailand where they are to be sorted out, forwarded to their respective constituencies, and counted together with the rest on February 2.
Out of 143,807 registered voters overseas, the highest number of over 10,000 registered with the Thai Embassy in Singapore. Another 8,500 registered with the Thailand Trade and Economic Office in Taipei, 8,200 with the Thai Consulate-General in Los Angeles, 7,200 with the Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv and 5,600 with the Thai Consulate-General in Hong Kong.
