FORMER ELECTION Commission (EC) members were split in their opinions about their newly selected replacements yesterday, while others questioned the relevance of the new members’ experience.

Gothom Arya and Somchai Srisuthiyakorn expressed disappointment that some candidates who had extensive experience in elections had not made the cut to become part of the agency. Meanwhile, another former commissioner, Sodsri Satayathum, said relevant experience was nearly impossible to come by since it was such a specialised field.

The remarks came after the selection committee on Tuesday appointed five people to fill vacancies in the commission. The previous EC members were required to leave their positions under the new organic law.

The five new EC members are former Interior Ministry executive Pracha Terat, high-ranking communications official Takorn Tanthasit, education institute executives Ruangwit Kadesuwan and Issaree Hansacharoonroj, and independent legal consultant Chompan Pongcharoen Sutheerachat.

Gothom said yesterday that he was disappointed that candidates who had been active in civil society groups had not been selected. Some even had experience concerning elections, not only with the EC but also with international organisations, he said.

Gothom said those who were selected had backgrounds in administration such as business or education. Only Pracha, he said, had experience that was arguably related to elections.

The EC, the ex-commissioner said, needed people who were service-minded. The work involved not just the holding of elections but also activities to encourage people to exercise their voting rights, he said. It was about “campaigning for democracy”, he added.

Outgoing commissioner Somchai’s Facebook post on Tuesday said he was disappointed that Laddawan Tantivitayapitak had failed to be selected.

Laddawan had worked closely with the EC in observing voting for more than 20 years as a selfless volunteer at the Democracy Foundation, he wrote.

After the EC was first formed, Laddawan had come to work with the agency and contributed greatly in strengthening public participation, Somchai said. In addition, she was a pioneer in systemising civic education, which was one of the fundamental jobs of the EC.

Sodsri said she viewed things differently as it was difficult to have directly experienced candidates, so she was satisfied with the selection results, saying that it at least showed diversity, which was beneficial for the decision-making process.

She added that few previous commissioners had relevant experience prior to their appointments. Everyone could learn about the election laws and the holding of elections at the agency, she added.

The names of two other candidates selected from the Supreme Court have already been submitted to the selection committee, legislator Somchai Sawangkarn said yesterday. The list of the seven candidates would be forwarded to the National Legislative Assembly for a review of their qualifications as well as endorsement, he said.