 | |||||||||||
76 of the 150 seats in theSenate | |||||||||||
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below. | |||||||||||
Senate elections were held inThailand on 2 March 2008, the first under a newconstitution. Voter turnout was 56%.[1] Results were expected on 9 March 2008.[2]
76 candidates were elected, one for each province, while 74 senators will be nominated by a selection panel headed by the Constitution Tribunal's presidentVirat Limvichai. Nominations for these seats were made by professional groups between 13 January and 18 January 2008, whereafter a panel appointed by the Electoral Commission vetted the nominees' credentials before forwarding the nominations to the selection panel.[3] The Thai Election Commission endorsed the 74 senators selected from the nominations.[4] The senators will serve six-year terms.
The nominated senators are considered to be closer to the outgoing military administration,[5] while among the elected senators a substantial number are closely connected to deposed former PM Thaksin. A prominent critic of Thaksin and anti-corruption activist also appeared to have been elected.[6]
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | |
| Independents | 21,986,942 | 91.36 | 76 | |
| Blank votes | 2,079,826 | 8.64 | – | |
| Nominated members | 74 | |||
| Total | 24,066,768 | 100.00 | 150 | |
| Valid votes | 24,066,768 | 96.34 | ||
| Invalid votes | 914,479 | 3.66 | ||
| Total votes | 24,981,247 | 100.00 | ||
| Registered voters/turnout | 44,911,254 | 55.62 | ||
| Source:Election Commission | ||||
On 13 March 2008, the Senate President was elected. The former Appeals Court presidentPrasopsuk Boondej, a nominated senator, received 78 votes.Thaweesak Khidbanchong, considered to be close to former ministerNewin Chidchob, received 45 votes; GeneralLertrat Ratanawanit, reportedly closely connected to the defunct coup-makingCouncil for National Security received 15 votes, and Police Lieutenant-GeneralManoj Kraiwong, who had been criticised for having leaned onto the oppositionDemocrat Party, received six votes.[7]
| General elections | |
|---|---|
| Senate elections | |
| Supplementary elections | |
| By-elections | |
| Local elections | |
| Referendums | |
See also:Election Commission of Thailand | |
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