Thai Elections Ruled Unconstitutional

[dotcom]

From CNN: BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled Monday that last month's parliamentary election was unconstitutional and ordered new polling.

The court announced in a news conference that the April 2 snap poll was called too soon under Thai election law and was fraught with other irregularities.

The vote was boycotted by all three main opposition parties.

The court voted 8-6 to invalidate the April election, and 9-5 to hold a new vote.

No date was immediately set for the new election.

Despite winning last month's balloting, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced he was resigning amid mass protests and lackluster results at the polls by his ruling Thai Rak Thai party.

The prime minister called the election three years early, even as demonstrators filled streets demanding his ouster.

The protests started earlier this year, with critics accusing Thaksin of widespread corruption and abuse of power. He was also blamed for mishandling a Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand and stifling the country's once vibrant media.

Thaksin dissolved Parliament in February and called snap polls. His Thai Rak Thai party won 57 percent of the vote, but millions of Thais cast protest votes and the opposition boycott left the lower house without the full 500 lawmakers required for Parliament to convene.

Days after the election, Thaksin announced he was taking "a break" from politics to restore national unity and passed his duties to his deputy, Chitchai Wannasathit.

Copyright 2006 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.

[skippybangkok]

Strange why this ruling came only after they got a bollocking a few weeks back. Better late than never.

[Kerryd]

Strange why this ruling came only after they got a bollocking a few weeks back. Better late than never.

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