Voters’ will must be respected in Thailand’s government formation

Malaysia’s Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) calls on all quarters in Thailand, especially the Senate which consists of 250 military appointees, to respect the will of voters in post-election government formation.

Bersih congratulates the Thai electorate for the high turnout of 35.9 million (75%), showing a strong sense of faith and ownership in democracy.

Bersih hopes that the voters’ will would be fully respected in government formation, in which 500 elected parliamentarians (400 from single-member constituencies, 100 from party lists) and 250 appointed senators will jointly elect a prime minister, for which a 376-seat majority is required.

Two main opposition parties have won a combination of 293 seats: the Move Forward Party (MFP) leads with 152 seats (113 from constituencies, 39 from party list), followed closely by the Pheu Thai Party (PTP) with 141 seats (112, 29).

Bersih cautions that if the new government formed does not reflect the majority’s will, the two-month electoral process will be rendered meaningless, and Thailand may sink into political turmoil, damaging the interests of all quarters and even of other countries in the region.

While the MFP and PTP combined are still 83 seats short of a legislative majority, their party list seat gain suggests they enjoy a clear majority.

In contrast, parties from the outgoing government performed poorly: Bhumjaithai Party trails with 70 seats (67, 3), followed by the Palang Pracharath Party’s 40 (39, 1) and the United Thai Nation Party’s 36 (23, 13).

Bersih wishes Thailand the best in finding its path back to democracy, steadily and gradually, and in national reconciliation under a popularly elected new government. – Bersih international bureau

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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