Fame and money not enough to win local elections

PHUKET TOWN: A survey by Rajabhat Institute into voters’ beliefs in the run-up to Sunday’s Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) elections reveals that voters have very definite ideas of what they expect of those elected. It is also clear that having a lot of money or being well known will not necessarily attract many votes. What most of the voters want is knowledge and capability. The survey, which covered 6,846 people in all the 12 tambon where elections will be held, was devised by Associate Professor Dr Chirawat Nitchanet, President of Rajabhat. Of those who answered the poll, 52.22 % were men and 47.78 % were women. Do you know the date of the upcoming OrBorTor election? Yes: 91.86% No: 8.14% Will you vote? Yes: 90.46% No: 9.54% What will be your main criterion for chosing a candidate? Because they have the right knowledge: 83.16% Because they are friends or relatives: 12.80% Because they are rich or famous: 1.69% Other reasons: 2.35% How well do you understand the roles and duties of OrBorTor members? Very well: 10.45% Moderately well: 49.64% A little: 27.10% Not at all: 12.81% What is the minimum educational level people should have in order to qualify as candidates? Higher than bachelor degree: 5.58% Bachelor degree: 49.05% Junior degree: 24.37% Pratom 4-Mattayom 6: 21%. In the past, how knowledgeable have OrBorTor members been about the work of the OrBorTor? Very knowledgeable: 7.98% Moderately knowledgeable: 62.66% Not very knowledgeable: 29.36% In what ways did OrBorTor members in the past make the greatest contribution? Improving public utilities: 76.19% Improving living standards: 6.31% Improving education: 5.11% Improving public health: 5% Other: 7.39% What is the most important thing for the new OrBorTor members to address? Improving public utilities: 55.37% Improving living standards: 19.21% Improving education: 16.42% Improving public health: 6.18% Other: 2.81% There are 85,849 voters in Phuket eligible for tomorrow’s election. They will elect 156 OrBorTor members from a total of 476 candidates.