Social Security Office Details Voting Rules for Board Election
The Social Security Office will conduct a board election on September 27 with new voting rules requiring voters to write only Arabic numerals in designated boxes, selecting up to 7 candidates total.
The Social Security Office outlined procedures for the September 27 board election, emphasizing that only Arabic numerals must be used on ballots. On September 18 at the Ministry of Labour, Hattharipriya Nammongkalbunvong, head of the Bangkok Electoral Commission office, announced the Social Security Office's readiness to conduct the Social Security Board election on September 27. The office has prepared personnel, voting units, and polling stations, with particular emphasis on helping voters understand the new ballot format, which differs from previous elections.
For Bangkok's 12 districts, staff training has been completed in 9 districts, with 3 remaining to be trained this weekend. All personnel are ready to perform their duties. Bangkok has 1,459 voting units total and 64 polling stations across 50 districts, all prepared. Each voting unit will have a chairman, four committee members, two assistants, and security and order maintenance staff—nine people total. Most staff come from the Social Security Office, with support from other agencies and partner networks.
The ballot format differs significantly from previous elections. Voters will write candidate numbers in designated boxes rather than making crosses. Voters may select up to 7 numbers total—from both employer and employee representatives combined. Crucially, only Arabic numerals may be used, and they must be written in the correct boxes. Staff will provide clear guidance and assistance, particularly before voters enter the voting booth.
Previously, some voters misunderstood the voting method, using symbols or writing numbers incorrectly. Some units reported Thai numerals appearing on ballots, though this was not widespread. For this election, staff will emphasize clearly that voters must write only Arabic numerals in the designated boxes.
When asked what constitutes a spoiled ballot, Hattharipriya noted that writing or marking outside the boxes—such as drawing hearts or crosses outside designated areas—or using marking methods that don't follow the specified procedure will spoil the ballot. Writing multiple numbers in a single box also spoils it. The key rule is one number per box only.
For elderly voters, Hattharipriya said the office has arranged staff to provide assistance and guidance outside polling stations.
