Guidelines for Promoting Public Participation in Local Elections in Latya Subdistrict

Abstract

          This academic article aims to examine approaches to promoting public participation in local elections in Lat Ya Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province. The study analyzes the context of democratic governance, the role of local government, the current state of public participation, existing problems, obstacles, and the linkage between local development plans and the development strategies of local administrative organizations. The research design methodology employs Qualitative Analysis and Documentary Analysis, integrating political science and public administration theories, specifically Arnstein’s Ladder of Citizen Participation and Downs’ Rational Choice Theory, alongside a comprehensive SWOT Analysis of local political and administrative capacities.

          The findings indicate that public participation in local elections in Lat Ya Subdistrict remains limited, with participation largely confined to exercising voting rights on election day. Continuous participation in political processes and local administration after the election is relatively low. Major factors affecting participation are categorized into 4 dimensions: 1) attitudinal and civic awareness dimensions (political apathy and a perception of low impact on daily life), 2) informational and communication dimensions (insufficient access to data), 3) physical dimensions around polling stations, and 4) structural, legal, and budgetary constraints of the local government organization.

          To address these issues, this article proposes 8 proactive strategies: community opinion surveys, voting incentives, enhanced accessibility, civic education campaigns, early voting opportunities, mobile polling stations, transparent communication, and post-election engagement. Implementing these approaches through integration with local development plan processes will allow the municipality to transform citizens from passive voters into active development partners, thereby fostering the sustainable development of democracy at the grassroots level.