PM to Consult with EC About Holding General Election Soon

The prime minister is preparing to consult with the Election Commission to set the date for the next general election. At the same time, the premier urged the Upper House to expedite voting on the 2011 mid-year budget.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said during his weekly television program that he is planning to consult with the Election Commission, or EC, about a possible House dissolution date, to pave way for the next general election, now that recent constitutional amendments have received royal endorsement.

At the same time, Abhisit thanked MPs for passing the 2011 mid-year budget, which will be used to assist the elderly, the disabled and for post-flood reconstruction.

The premier urged the Senate to pass the budget bill within the week.

About the date for the parliamentary censure debate, Abhisit pointed out that the decision will be up to the house speaker. Rumors have circulated that the debate, originally set to begin this Wednesday, may be delayed.

Meanwhile, according to an opinion poll conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, about 57 percent of the respondents support the Opposition's motion for a censure debate. Nearly 36 percent said that they would like to hear from both sides, and that the topics they are most concerned with and want to have addressed at the debate are rising fuel, cooking-oil and sugar prices as well as corruption.

In addition, about 48 percent believes that the debate would not lead to a House dissolution, while about 45 percent believe that the ongoing political protests will have no effect on the government.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-07

how the hell will he find the time?

he is often criticized for not naming a date but he is so damned busy how will he ever get round to it?

if the reds, yellows, cambodians, censure debates, generals, Thaksin, rallies, palm oil, eggs, ICC, Robert Amsterdam, police, DSi, Jatuporn, and loads of other pollsters and general pain in the <deleted> would give him time to catch his breath, he might actually find the time to organize a damned election........