A comparative study of legal measures related to the electoral process of prisoners in Thailand and abroad

Abstract

                The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560 did not grant voting rights to inmates, thus depriving them of their political rights, thus preventing equality for inmates. As a result, the researcher sets out the objectives of a comparative analysis of legal measures relating to the election of prisoners in Thailand and abroad to find a proposal to create legal measures related to Thailand’s prisoner election process. There are two research methods: 1. document research by means of studying laws relating to the election of prisoners in Thailand compared to foreign countries 2. field research by interviewing correctional officers Election Commission and the results from comparisons and interviews were used for descriptive analysis.

                The results showed that the election of prisoners abroad has the following electoral forms and rights: Canada, the Republic of Austria and the Republic of the Philippines have given inmates the right to vote in prisons. This is consistent with the opinions of the interviewees that Thailand must grant electoral rights to inmates taking into consideration of human rights and civil rights, including the fact that the offense of the inmate is a criminal offense. The method of elections in Canada allows the electoral method to be conducted at least 10 days in advance. In the Republic of Austria and the Republic of the Philippines, the election will be conducted at the same time as the general election of the people which is consistent with the opinions of the interviewees.

                Research recommendations are Thailand deserves the right to vote for inmates, but the right should be restricted to prisoners who have never exercised the right to vote before serving their sentence. Elections is to be held within the prison. The list of inmates who wish to exercise their right to vote is to be set by using the names of the inmates at the time of the sentence. The election is to be held concurrently with the general public’s election. As to election campaigns, candidates are to campaign in the form of audio tapes, videos, campaign banners or pamphlets for the safety of the candidates.