DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES FOR THE OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF PROVINCIAL ELECTION COMMISSION OFFICES IN MANAGING MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aimed to: 1) examine the roles of the Provincial Election Commission Office in managing the election of mayors and municipal council members in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province; 2) investigate the challenges and obstacles encountered in managing municipal elections; and 3) propose guidelines for improving the operational performance of the Provincial Election Commission Office in municipal election management. This study employed a qualitative research approach. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using Thematic Analysis in conjunction with Descriptive Analysis. The appropriateness of the proposed development guidelines was validated through a focus group discussion with experts in election administration. interviews with 19 key informants selected by purposive sampling, including officials of the Provincial Election Commission Office, election-related officials and committees, election candidates, and election observers. The data were analyzed using content analysis, and the proposed development guidelines were validated through a focus group discussion with election experts. The findings revealed that: 1) the Provincial Election Commission Office plays important roles in three dimensions, namely election administration, election supervision and monitoring, and the promotion of democratic knowledge and understanding; 2) the challenges and obstacles in election management consist of four aspects: legal and regulatory factors, resource and personnel factors, local contextual factors, and inter-agency cooperation factors; and 3) the proposed development guidelines emphasize the improvement of legal frameworks and operational guidelines, the enhancement of human resources and personnel capacity, the development of communication and public understanding in accordance with local contexts, and the strengthening of public cooperation. The new body of knowledge generated from this study indicates that effective election management should integrate identified challenges with appropriate development mechanisms in each dimension in order to enhance the integrity of local elections