The cabinet has approved a budget of nearly 9 billion baht for the Election Commission (EC) to stage the 2026 general election and a referendum on whether to draft a new constitution on Feb 8.

The Budget Bureau has been tasked with working closely with the commission to ensure cost efficiency and transparency, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said after Tuesday’s cabinet meeting.

Of the total allocation, 6.75 billion baht has been earmarked for the general election, 525 million for the referendum, and 1.7 billion baht for personnel and operational expenses, for a total of 8.978 billion baht.

EC chairman Narong Klanwarin held a meeting on Tuesday with commissioners, secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee, his deputies and other staff to oversee preparations for the election and referendum.

Key agenda items included candidate registration procedures, election management and dissemination of referendum guidelines.

Registration for constituency MP candidates in Bangkok will take place from Dec 27 to 31 at the Thai-Japanese Stadium in Din Daeng. Party-list MP and prime ministerial candidate registrations will take place from Dec 28 to 31 at the Centara Life Hotel, Government Complex, Chaeng Watthana.