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KPI Congress 20th
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2018
Thai Democracy on the Move

of decentralisation over the past 20 years, changes in the mechanism of regional head

elections have undergone significant changes by strengthening the role of local citizens.

Based on Law No. 5 of 1974, which was in force earlier, the process of regional head

elections was still dominated by central authorities. The role of the DPRD (Dewan Perwakilan

Rakyat Daerah, Local People’s Representative Council) is only to nominate as many as 3-5
candidates who will be elected by the Central Government. This is clearly stated in Article 15
paragraph (1) of Law No. 5 of 1974:

“The head of the level I region (governor) is nominated and elected by

the regional people’s legislative assembly (Provincial DPRD) from at least 3 (three)
people and a maximum of 5 (five) candidates who have been deliberated and

mutually agreed between the chairmen of the provincial DPRD or chairmen of
the Faction with Minister of Home Affairs. (2) The results of the election referred

to in paragraph (1) of this article are submitted by the relevant provincial DPRD
to the President through the Minister of Home Affairs at least two (2) people to

be appointed by one of them”.

Candidates for regents/mayors are submitted by the district DPRD to the Minister of
the Interior and the Governor is submitted by the Provincial DPRD to the President. At that

time, Suharto as President was a very powerful and decisive figure in various national policies
that must be obeyed by the region. Furthermore, Soeharto was also very dominant in

choosing regional leaders.

With the election model, the regents/mayors and governors are more accountable to
the central government than to the regions. The performance and policies made by the district
เอกสารประกอบการประชุมกลุ่มย่อยที่ 3 The dual role played by the district head/mayor and governor illustrates that they are closer
head/mayors and governor will be more determined by the wishes of the central government.

to the central interests and less attention to regional interests. In addition, the candidates for
regional heads and those won by the central government are mostly those who have military

backgrounds or senior bureaucratic officials from Jakarta.