Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda has met the expectations of the public by setting a rough date for the Bangkok governor election in May.
Now all concerned agencies must make sure the long-awaited poll takes place as promised.
The onus is especially on the cabinet and Election Commission (EC), which will have to discuss the exact date, among other issues.
The last gubernatorial election was in 2013. That entailed a long wait for people in the city to choose who they would like to work for them -- to tackle Bangkok's many problems and raise their quality of life.
Most important of all, the people of Bangkok have the right to be served by a governor who will be accountable to them, not an appointed official.
The decade during which the capital has gone without an elected governor inevitably gave rise to questions as to why an election could not be held sooner.
The threat of Covid-19, which has led to the discouragement of public gatherings, may remain but past experience shows that polls can still be held fairly and safely despite such conditions.
Is it possible the cabinet is dragging its feet because the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has not yet been able to find a suitable candidate?
Is the government waiting for its popularity to surge again before allowing the gubernatorial election to take place?
The by-election for Bangkok's constituency 9 covering Laksi and parts of Chatuchak on Sunday intensified such concerns.
With the candidate from the opposition Pheu Thai Party crushing their rival from the PPRP to claim a landslide victory, many people took to the internet to express their concern that such a devastating result could prompt the government to further delay the Bangkok governor election.
It was thus an opportune time to raise the question of when it would take place during a session at parliament, and Interior Minister Gen Anupong was able to clarify the timeline, albeit tentatively.
According to Gen Anupong, it is up to the cabinet and the EC to agree on the schedule.
The EC is expected to come up with possible dates in March. Once the cabinet agrees, the election can be held within 60 days. According to Gen Anupong's timeline, this could see the poll take place in May.
The schedule seems suitable, giving authorities enough time to prepare -- to ensure it will be held in a free and fair manner, with all the safest Covid-19 measures in place.
Gen Anupong denied speculation that the government has intentionally delayed the poll to buy time for the ruling party to gain a political advantage.
The minister's announcement of a tentative timeline has also helped ease the mounting concern and allay pent-up expectations.
Rocked by a myriad of problems, Bangkok deserves an election to find a governor that most people approve of -- someone who can pledge what they can do for the public, and will be held to account during their tenure.
The cabinet and EC are obliged to fulfil their duties and let the process leading to the poll begin.
Any further delay would be irresponsible at best.
