Government personnel urged to observe neutrality during electoral period

BANGKOK, February 22 (TNA) - The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) has asked all government personnel involving in next month's general election to observe the principles of neutrality and transparency during the electoral period. ECT Chairman Itthiporn Boonprakong told journalists that he made the request during chairing a meeting with offficials from the Ministry of Interior and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), as well as provincial governors and district chiefs from across the country in Bangkok on February 21. Itthiporn stated that Thursday's meeting was aimed to discuss preparations for Thailand's new general election, set on March 24. "I told the meeting that next month's general election is the first national poll in five years and it is eagerly awaited and monitored by people nationwide. So, I asked all the government personnel involving in the new general election to strictly observe the principles of neutrality and transparency to ensure the legitimacy and fairness of the upcoming national poll", said the ECT chairman. According to the ECT chairman, there are over 10,000 candidates from 77 Thai political parties campaigning and contesting for next month's general election. (TNA)