The election for the Roi Et Provincial Administrative Organization president is lively. The Election Commission has conducted site inspections and confirmed 100% readiness, encouraging over one million eligible voters to participate. Informal results are expected by no later than 10 PM tonight.
The atmosphere for the Roi Et PAO presidential election has been lively since morning. The Election Commission Secretary-General visited the polling stations to check readiness, confirming full preparedness for the election. He encouraged over one million eligible voters to cast their ballots and anticipated informal vote counts would be available by 10 PM. Meanwhile, the Governor of Roi Et voted early and emphasized that the voting process takes less than one minute.
On 26 July at 08:00, Mr. Saweang Boonmee, Secretary-General of the Election Commission, along with Lieutenant Ratchathorn Phasakorn Siripakkayaporn, Deputy Secretary-General, and Mrs. Panwipa Sangthip, Director of the Election Commission Office in Roi Et province, traveled to Buparapiram Municipal School (East side), Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Roi Et District, Roi Et Province, to inspect preparations for opening the polls for the PAO presidential election.
This polling station was set up under the school building as stations 17 and 19 in electoral district 1. At 08:00, Mr. Saweang and his team joined the flag-raising ceremony, followed by a prayer before officials opened the ballot boxes for voting. Citizens were already waiting to vote. After inspecting and encouraging the polling staff, Mr. Saweang stated that all 2,539 stations have opened on schedule and operations are running smoothly.
Mr. Saweang added that the weather was favorable—cool and comfortable—with no abnormal incidents reported. The weather, improved by rain the previous night, should facilitate voter turnout. He invited the 1,045,902 eligible voters to elect local leaders responsible for managing budgets and provincial development. He reported that shortly after polls opened, operations remained smooth with no irregularities, thanks to thorough preparation of personnel, materials, and coordination by the PAO election commission chair and the local EC office. The EC targets a 65% turnout, based on past parliamentary and PAO elections with about 60% turnout, hoping public campaigns will emphasize the importance of voting for provincial executives. Regarding election law violations,
Mr. Saweang stated that all three candidates have campaigned within legal limits, with no violations of the allowed campaigning time. Currently, there is only one complaint unrelated to campaigning but concerning the incumbent PAO president’s official duties before the election period; the EC is investigating. He added that informal election results are expected by no later than 10 PM, weather and document transport permitting. Vote counting should be faster and more efficient than previous elections because only one ballot type is used, unlike parliamentary elections with multiple ballot types, thus reducing spoiled ballots.
Mrs. Panwipa Sangthip, Director of the Roi Et EC office, said the office had rehearsed duties for all election committee levels—from subcommittees and district supervisors to polling station officials—through trainers and experienced personnel to prepare all staff. She noted that over 80% of polling station officials have prior election experience and are confident in their work.
She also stated that the Roi Et EC office has never encountered cases of polling officials being punished for intentional misconduct during duty. She reaffirmed full readiness for the election. Citizens can follow vote count reports via the PAO’s LED screens and the local EC website. The public is also invited to observe vote counting to help ensure transparency in the election process, Mrs. Panwipa added.
Mr. Saweang and his team then visited the second observation point at polling station 31 in the multipurpose building of Roi Et Vocational College, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Roi Et District. This station is where Governor Chatchawan Benjasiriwong cast his vote. After confirming his name was listed at number 172, he entered the booth to vote, with the EC Secretary-General and team observing outside. Mr. Saweang asked the polling station chair, Mr. Somjit Chaibang, about readiness, who confirmed smooth operations and that space had been arranged for observers.
Mr. Saweang added that all 2,539 polling stations will follow a checklist held by the polling supervisors to monitor the entire process. If followed, errors will be minimized and compliance ensured. This checklist was rehearsed with polling officials beforehand. He also noted that civil society groups have been provided seating to observe and participate, especially during vote counting, from a distance of no more than three meters, allowing clear view of ballots and audible vote calls. This arrangement facilitates transparency and public trust.
The Governor of Roi Et invited all 1,060,000 eligible voters to participate. From morning until 2 PM, the weather was clear and pleasant. He emphasized that voting takes less than one minute—from entering the booth, receiving the ballot, to casting it. Additionally, voters can verify their eligibility online before arriving at the polling station. He urged people to vote to choose capable leaders who will manage and develop Roi Et Province.
Some images are sourced from the Roi Et Provincial Administrative Organization Facebook page.