Elections
The House of Representatives has 500 members. 375 members are directly elected in single constituency elections by first-past-the-post voting. The 375 constituencies are divided by population according to the census and tambons. The other 125 members are voted based on ‘proportional representation’ it is actually in truth a parallel voting system or more precisely the Mixed Member Majoritarian system (MMM). In Thai general elections, the voters have two votes: one to select their Member of Parliament for their constituencies and the second to choose which party they prefer. Seats are assigned to parties as a result through d'Hondt method.
In accordance with the 2007 Constitution of Thailand, a general election must be held every 4 years. Dissolution can happen anytime, which is done by the King with the advice of the Prime Minister through the use of the Royal Decree. Elections are held under universal suffrage; every voter must be a citizen of Thailand; if not by birth then by being a citizen for 5 years. Must be over 18 years old before the year the election is held. Voting in elections are also mandatory as missing an election will result in political activities right. Those barred from voting in House elections are members of the clergy, those suspended from the privilege for various reasons, detainees under legal or court orders and being of unsound mind or of mental infirmity.
See most recent election at: Thai general election, 2011
Read more about this topic: House Of Representatives Of Thailand
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