New General Election Proposed For Oct. 22

[sriracha john]

Thai Election Commission proposes October for new polls Thailand

Thai election officials have proposed holding new polls in October, after a court invalidated last month's controversial snap election.

The Election Commission has put forward October 22 as a possible date.

The proposal will be put to cabinet on Tuesday.

The party of outgoing prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, won the April 2 snap elections with 56 per cent, but the victory was undermined by an opposition boycott, which left 40 seats empty, and sent Thailand plunging towards a constitutional crisis.

Shortly afterwards Mr Thaksin stepped downed, as protests demanding his resignation continued.

Mr Thaksin called the April election in a bid to stop the protests, which began after Mr Thaksin's family sold $US1.9 billion of shares in Shin Corp, the telecoms firm he founded before entering politics, in a tax-free deal.

ABC Asia Pacific TV / Radio Australia

Edited May 15, 2006 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

EC sets new election on Oct 22

The Election Commission on Monday plans to hold the next election on October 22.

The new election date was agreed upon by the majority of 19 political parties which attended a meeting with the EC.

Twelve of the parties voted to set the election on October 22 and have a new royal decree to set the election day to be issued on August 22.

The reasoned that the new election date would help members of current political parties to beat the 90-day rule and switch party loyalty.

The EC promised to propose the new election date for the Cabinet to issue a royal decree as soon as possible.

- TN

[sriracha john]

Former Opposition bloc boycotts meeting on next poll

BANGKOK, May 15 (TNA) - Nineteen political parties, including the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party, sent representatives to discuss the timing of the next general election with Thailand's Election Commission on Monday, while the former Opposition bloc led by the Democrat Party boycotted the meeting.

The Democrat Party spokesperson said earlier that the party would not participate in the talks as it could not endorse the legitimacy of the election body.

Prior to the meeting, Kuthep Saikrajang, a legal expert for the Thai Rak Thai Party, filed a complaint with the election agency seeking its order to dissolve the Democrat Party, accusing the main Opposition party of several charges--including obstructing the April 2 snap general election by boycotting the poll, by hiring small parties to frame Thai Rak Thai Party, and of violating the Charter by asking for the enforcement of Article 7 of the Constitution to have a royally-appointed interim prime minister.

Election Commissioner Prinya Nakchatree proposed to the meeting that the new poll should be scheduled after completion of the grand celebrations in June to mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne and the new date for the next general election should allow time for MPs to switch parties if they so desired.

The outcome of the meeting will be proposed to the government for consideration.

The Constitution Court justices voted on May 8 to nullify the kingdom's April 2 general election, saying it was unconstitutional and that a new poll should be held.

The court ruling based on a complaint filed by academics questioning the legitimacy of the election on the basis that the positioning of the polling booths compromised the privacy of voters as they marked their ballots, the scheduling of a voting date less than 45 days after the Lower House dissolution, and charges that a major political party had financed less-known parties to field their candidates in many constituencies.

In addition, the complaint alleged that the Election Commission made unlawful decisions regarding the electoral process, including its endorsement of elected MPs, as the decisions were made without a quorum.

The ruling was widely anticipated following the request of His Majesty the King last month that the three top courts--the Supreme, the Supreme Administrative and the Constitution Courts--find a solution to a months- long political stalemate.

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called the April 2 snap elections three years ahead of schedule amid mass street rallies in the capital demanding his resignation.

However, the boycott of the three main opposition parties forced a second round of voting that failed to produce all 500 MPs in the Lower House to convene to parliament.

Parliament is required by law to convene within 30 days after the polling date to name the new prime minister. (TNA)

[sriracha john]

Thai officials propose Oct. 22 as new poll date

The Associated Press

MONDAY, MAY 15, 2006

BANGKOK- Thailand's Election Commission and 20 political parties on Monday proposed that fresh parliamentary polls not be held until Oct. 22, an election official said, prolonging the country's drawn-out political crisis.

The election date has not yet finalized and must first be approved by the Cabinet, said Election Commission secretary-general Ekachai Warunprapha.

Although the date must still be approved, the election will likely be held on Oct. 22 because a government representative also attended the meeting and did not voice opposition to the date.

The proposal failed to offer an immediate solution to the country's deepening political crisis, sparked by anti-government demonstrations that led then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to call snap elections in April in an attempt to win a new mandate.

The April 2 polls were easily won by Thaksin's ruling Thai Rak Thai party because of a boycott by the country's three main opposition parties.

However, the Constitutional Court on May 8 annulled the results, saying that the snap polls were called too hastily - which was unfair for small parties - and that a new arrangement of polling booths compromised voter privacy.

The election was postponed because of next month's celebrations for the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's ascension to the throne, Ekachai said.

He said the Election Commission and government want "to let the king's ascension ceremony run smoothly," and did not want to see the celebration marred by campaign posters around town or political rallies.

The date would also give political candidates sufficient time to prepare for the polls because the law states that any candidate must belong to a political party for at least 90 days before the election day.

Also Monday, the Supreme Court reiterated its call for the Election Commissioners to resign, said Supreme Court secretary Virat Chinwinitkul, hinting that an Administrative Court ruling could resolve the crisis earlier by ordering the Election Commission to suspend its work.

The Administrative Court is set to rule Tuesday on complaints by academics, accusing the commission of violating election laws during last month's polls.

"The best thing is for the senior figures (Election Commissioners) to resign and pave the way for the court to nominate a new Election Commission. But if they choose to remain idle, the courts have other measures to resolve the crisis," Virat told reporters.

The Criminal Court will hear a case against the Election Commissioners on May 29, he said. The main opposition Democrat Party filed four criminal charges against the Election Commission for abusing their powers to help Thai Rak Thai in a fraudulent election. If found guilty, they face up to 10 years in prison.

Thailand's three highest courts have pledged to supervise the new elections, but turned down the Election Commission's invitation to play a role in organizing the new election.

"The Election Commission is facing a criminal trial, so it is not appropriate for the courts work with them," Virat said.

The Democrat Party and other Thaksin foes have accused the Election Commission of being an "extended arm" of the ruling party, and refused to attend Monday's meeting by the commission to plan the upcoming polls.

Thaksin stepped down shortly after last month's balloting, saying he felt compelled to take a "break" from politics to restore national unity. His opponents have accused him of plotting a comeback - a move they say would revive anti-government anger. Critics accuse Thaksin of corruption and abuse of power.

[Jai Dee]

EC sets new election on Oct 22

The Election Commission on Monday plans to hold the next election on October 22.

The new election date was agreed upon by the majority of 19 political parties which attended a meeting with the EC.

Twelve of the parties voted to set the election on October 22 and have a new royal decree to set the election day to be issued on August 22.

The reasoned that the new election date would help members of current political parties to beat the 90-day rule and switch party loyalty.

The EC promised to propose the new election date for the Cabinet to issue a royal decree as soon as possible.

Source: The Nation - Breaking News - May 15, 2006 : Last updated 01:35 pm

[Jai Dee]

EC commissioner to resign

Gen Charupat Ruangsuwan, an Election Commissioner, is reported to submit his resignation this afternoon.

An informed source quoted him as saying that his assignment to organise a national election was already completed.

Charupat was seen attending a meeting on Monday morning to seek a new election Day, but left before the meeting finished.

He could not be reached for comment.

Source: The Nation - Breaking News - May 15, 2006 : Last updated 03:25 pm

[Jai Dee]

EC agrees to set up next election after 90 days of transfers of political members

The Election Commission (EC) agrees with the proposal of organizing the next general election after the political party members have transferred themselves within 90 days.

Mr. Prinya Nakchudtree (ปริญญา นาคฉัตรีย์), one of the Election Commissioners, has invited the representatives from all 33 parties to chair today’s meeting on setting the new poll date. Referring to the royal decree amendment, he said that the EC has to discuss with the former government as it is responsible in drafting and issuing the decree. In response to the demand for the Election Commissioners to resign from their posts, he insisted that the EC’s implementations are in line with the law. He also asked whether the groups who proposed to apply the Article 7 of the Constitution to be responsible for their acts.

As for the today’s meeting, he informed that currently representatives from 19 parties have reached the conference room. The news reporters informed that there is still no sign of the coming of the former Opposition’s representatives.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

EC schedules Oct 22 for new election

Although the Election Commission tried to please political parties by scheduling the new election five months away - on October 22, the Democrat Party insisted on its demand for the watchdog to stand down for having lost legitimacy.

In what seen as its desperate attempt to stay on, the EC Monday held a meeting with political parties to consider when should be the next election day.

A total of 19 parties attended the meeting. The three former opposition parties - Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon - boycotted the meeting on ground that they saw the EC no longer had legitimacy after the Constitution Court ruled that its way of handling the April 2 election was unconsitutional.

Twelve of the parties voted to set the election on October 22 and have a new royal decree to set the election day to be issued on August 22.

The reasoned that the new election date would help members of current political parties to beat the 90-day rule and switch party loyalty.

The EC promised to propose the new election date for the Cabinet to issue a royal decree as soon as possible.

But Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said the scheduling the new election more than 90 days way was not the main point.

"The point is that the election must be clean and fair to all sides," Suthep said.

He said he had lost trust in the current EC and saw that it had no legitimacy to go on organising elections.

Suthep noted that he had filed a criminal lawsuit against the EC and he supported the People's Alliance for Democracy to campaign for the ouster of the EC.

"Think about it. If the Criminal Court agrees to proceed with the trial against the EC on May 29, the EC will become defendants. And if the trial is sped up and the EC is convicted and jailed, how could the next election be held if the EC is not changed now?" Suthep said.

Meanwhile, Chat Thai deputy leader Nikorn Chamnong said he agreed with the plan to hold the new election on October 22.

"But we will have to wait and see how the Cabinet will react to this proposal," Nikorn said.

He said holding the election that far would be automatically unlock political lock without the need to amend the Constitution first.

"Politicians will be able to switch to join new parties they consider best responding to their political stand and new parties could be set up," Nikorn said.

But he said the crisis of confidence toward the EC still remained.

"The best way-out should be the resignation of the EC," Nikorn said.

Mahachon deputy leader Akapol Sorasuchart said he welcomed the scheduling of the election on October 22.

But, he said, the Mahachon would like to call on for the change of the EC during the run-up to the election because there would be still plenty of time.

Anek Laothamathat, former Mahachon leader, said setting the election day on October 22 could not help reduce the pressure for the EC to resign. He said the EC should step down now so that the four commissioners would not face criminal lawsuits, which could result in their imprisonment.

Thai Rak Thai Party leader and caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he had no problem with scheduling the new election on October 22.

Source: The Nation - May 15, 2006

[Jai Dee]

Pol.Lt.Col. Thaksin said that he will take care of only the auspicious celebration

Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin Shinawatra has affirmed that he will only be responsible for organizing the auspicious celebration on the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne.

Chart Thai Party Leader Banharn Silpa-archa (บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา) has told Dr. Thaksin to resume his position. Dr. Thaksin said that he will only work on the matters concerning the auspicious celebration. However, other subjects are under the consideration of Acting Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 May 2006

[penzman]

The man isn't worthy of organising a tupperware party. OK PAI!!!

[ColPyat]

A total of 19 parties attended the meeting. The three former opposition parties - Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon - boycotted the meeting on ground that they saw the EC no longer had legitimacy after the Constitution Court ruled that its way of handling the April 2 election was unconsitutional.

Why on earth do they boycott now the talks, why can't they not simply get on with the elections and get back into normalcy????

Almost every of their demands has been met by now, and it is pure posturing now to demand the EC to stand down now. I don't think that this posturing now does them and the people any service whatsoever.

They should be busy to finally formulate constructive policies for Thailand's future, and communicate them to the people. This trench warfare now is counterproductive and only worsens the crises.

[tettyan]

This is insane. So we've got almost six months when the country is without a functioning government. Until then, we have a "caretaker" Prime Minister Thaksin and an "acting caretaker" Prime Minister Chidchai. I have no problem if people want 90 days until the election so that MPs can switch parties (not that I think very many will, save for some members of Sanoh's Wang Nam Yen faction). But this is ridiculous.

[jdinasia]

I predicted months ago that when they called an election that the date would be 120-180 days out. It had to be.

As to going to an EC meeting? why should anyone have bothered to go? The EC is done ... they know it, the parties involved know it and the Thai people know it! The date looks good ... it gives some time for real changes to take place and for the charges against TRT, Thaksin, and the EC to be sorted out!

[tettyan]

As to going to an EC meeting? why should anyone have bothered to go? The EC is done ... they know it, the parties involved know it and the Thai people know it! The date looks good ... it gives some time for real changes to take place and for the charges against TRT, Thaksin, and the EC to be sorted out!

Point taken about the pending legal cases. But what exactly do you mean by "real changes"?

[jdinasia]

Political reform ... work on the constitution etc

[ColPyat]

Political reform ... work on the constitution etc

It only gives time for more powergames and re-arrangement of strategic alliances on the expense of the people. It is naive to believe that this will lead to further democratisation and transparancy - NOT with the people involved on all sides.

I am frightened of what insanities the parties are going to come up with during the next few months.

[jdinasia]

Apparently some of the pro-TRT folks and Pro-Thaksin folks and Pro-EC folks would like to see another snap election that would not allow for candidates to see how things unfold a bit. Also to allow the crimes to be investigated and prosecuted. Also to see it all happen before Thaksin is potentially banned from politics for 5 years.

It would be nice in campaign reform to see a maximum per person donation to a party etc.

We are soo in need of real reform here ... but oh well ... some people have always seen the status quo as better than change! You just have to wonder why though!

[ColPyat]

Apparently some of the pro-TRT folks and Pro-Thaksin folks and Pro-EC folks would like to see another snap election that would not allow for candidates to see how things unfold a bit. Also to allow the crimes to be investigated and prosecuted. Also to see it all happen before Thaksin is potentially banned from politics for 5 years.

It would be nice in campaign reform to see a maximum per person donation to a party etc.

We are soo in need of real reform here ... but oh well ... some people have always seen the status quo as better than change! You just have to wonder why though!

I can't speak for pro-TRT/Thaksin/EC folks.

What i would like to see is a return to Thailand having a proper government without the risk of vested interests extending their power struggles to rousing the rabble on the streets. The longer this stalemate goes on the larger the damage to the country, the economy, and social peace.

Having no functioning government for the next 6 months means in practical terms that every large investor will hold back because nobody will enter negotiations with a caretaker government that might not be there in a few months time. So that new negotiations will have to be entered, a whole new set of greedy hands will have to be smeared.

Reform? Useless until there is a real will by all the political parties and vested interests to actually not undermine it straight away. And that, i fear, is at least a generation away.

Crimes investigated and prosecuted? LOL!

Is there anyone involved in Thai politics who is free of sin? If you start prosecuting here, you will very soon run out of anyone able to stand for election.

Or do you only want to prosecute Thaksin and his cronies, and forget the sins of the individuals of the other side of the fence?

[penzman]

Haven't the courts suggested the EC comittee should resign, but still they go on and come up with an election date? I guess they have already forgotten, again, about a recent speech...

I can smell a PAD rally aimed at the EC only.

[jdinasia]

They have ... more than once.

and to keep this thread open unlike so many others I will skip replying to the other post

I think the PAD will stay relatively quiet and see what happens with the EC before doing anything.

Edited May 15, 2006 by jdinasia

[ColPyat]

and to keep this thread open unlike so many others I will skip replying to the other post

Why?

Can't you reply to an opposing position without including a flame? Otherwise i can't follow your logic why a reply would close the thread.

[hammered]

No need for panic. Nothing will happen without the blessing of the courts. I hear they are meeting tomorrow just before the administrative court is due to issue a decision on the EC. Should be interesting.

[Siripon]

The King asked the courts to find a solution.

The courts dissolved the last election and asked the EC to resign to ensure transparency.

One member resigned today, another fled to Australia though he's coming back tomorrow; surely it's better to resign than have to make a decision regarding the TRT bribing small parties?

It will take time for the judges to select the 10 candidates for the EC for The Senate to peruse.

Perhaps this explains the October date.

[jdinasia]

I bet that there are 10 selected already ... should move forward fast

Edited May 15, 2006 by jdinasia

[penzman]

and to keep this thread open unlike so many others I will skip replying to the other post

Why?

Can't you reply to an opposing position without including a flame? Otherwise i can't follow your logic why a reply would close the thread.

Quit poking and baiting.

[Khutan]

In the end like most other countries of the world, its going to be a long and probably boring election campaign. I am so glad I have something to amuse myself with other than the local media

[sriracha john]

Pol.Lt.Col. Thaksin said that he will take care of only the auspicious celebration

Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin Shinawatra has affirmed that he will only be responsible for organizing the auspicious celebration on the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne.

Dr. Thaksin said that he will only work on the matters concerning the auspicious celebration. However, other subjects are under the consideration of Acting Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์).

Being ex-military, I'm stuck on people having appropriate titles...

Would this news make Thaksin the,

"Part-time, Caretaker, Acting Prime Minister In Charge Of Special Events" ?

[sriracha john]

A total of 19 parties attended the meeting. The three former opposition parties - Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon - boycotted the meeting on ground that they saw the EC no longer had legitimacy after the Constitution Court ruled that its way of handling the April 2 election was unconsitutional.

Why on earth do they boycott now the talks, why can't they not simply get on with the elections and get back into normalcy????

Refer to Post #4. The oppostion parties did not attend the talks for the same reason the Surpreme (et al) Courts won't attend. The EC is under criminal investigation and it would have been inappropriate.

Almost every of their demands has been met by now, and it is pure posturing now to demand the EC to stand down now. I don't think that this posturing now does them and the people any service whatsoever.

It's called ethics, and it does a great service to the people to see that they shun the EC until it gets it's own house in order. Additionally, the commission members are beginning to resign.. there's only 3 left... the EC is falling apart. Why legitimize it by attending a meeting the EC called for?

[sriracha john]

It will take time for the judges to select the 10 candidates for the EC for The Senate to peruse.

I bet that there are 10 selected already ... should move forward fast

Small technicality, but I believe the EC consists of 5 commissioners, the selection committee chosing these commissioners has 10 members itself.

More info on the EC member who resigned:

Gen Charupat resigns as election commissioner

Election Commissioner Gen Charupat Ruangsuwan resigned from his post yesterday amid intense pressure on all four members of the independent panel to step down after the nation’s top courts nullified the April 2 general election.

Gen Charupat submitted his resignation to the Senate and acting Upper House Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua said proceedings to fill the vacancy will begin as soon as possible.

A 10-member selection committee, comprising the presidents of the Constitutional and Supreme Administrative courts and representatives of top universities and major political parties, has to be formed to nominate new commissioners for the Senate’s consideration.

However, to further expedite the process, Suchon said it was possible to apply Article 138 (paragraph 3) of the Constitution, which states that the Supreme Court can make the required nominations in the absence of the selection committee.

The EC has been accused of bias toward Thaksin Shinawatra’s Thai Rak Thai party and the courts had followed up their annulment order with a call for the EC to resign, after His Majesty the King’s comment that the April 2 election was “undemocratic.”

The EC should have five commissioners but following yesterday’s resignation and the death last year of Commissioner Jaral Buranapansri, only three remain on the panel.

Observers say Gen Charupat’s decision to step down will pile further pressure on his former colleagues to follow suit and enable the appointment of an entirely new panel.

“I think all the election commissioners will resign soon, maybe in a few days, because they cannot stay on in the big trouble that they are in,” said Kanin Boonsuwan, a member of the former Constitution Drafting Assembly.

“Constitutionally speaking, the three remaining could carry on performing their duties, but the political situation now is very serious and mostly poised on the EC, particularly the pressure for them to resign….”

Kanin said that Gen Charupat had wanted to resign following His Majesty’s address to senior judges on April 25 but had felt unable to do so until now. Moves to appoint a new commissioner must be undertaken within 45 days but Kanin believes it will not take that long in the current situation and a new five-member panel could be in place within a month of the remaining commissioners’ resignations.

Following the EC’s decision to set the general election date for October 22, there is no reason why a new EC cannot be in place in time to organize the new election, he added. However, a draft Royal decree announcing the election on that date must be signed by the caretaker prime minister before it is finalized.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Administrative Court yesterday upheld a Central Administrative Court injunction halting the third round of elections in 14 constituencies last month following charges that the EC had mishandled the process. The Central Administrative Court is due to rule on the case today.

- TD

[tettyan]

Political reform ... work on the constitution etc

That's wishful thinking. A caretaker government has no mandate to implement any of these changes. Furthermore, do you really want to entrust TRT with amending election laws or the constitution? In any event, nothing can happen without a functioning House and Senate, and right now, we have neither. The current deadlock will just drag on until a proper government can be put into place. Better have an election sooner rather than later.

If you're hoping that a later election will help the opposition, I wouldn't be so sure. The name of the game for most of TRT's faction leaders is to stay on the winning side. It looks like the largest faction, Wang Nam Yom, which hinted in the past it wanted to defect, will probably stick behind Thaksin, simply because they have no other candidates that could command as much support upcountry. Many Wang Nam Yen MPs will probably leave to join Sanoh's new party, but before the last dissolution, their numbers had already declined to less than 40. The real issue for TRT now is not defections, it's this whole business of paying small parties to run. The two top men implicated, Pongsak and Thammarak, are at the heart of TRT's mainstream. Their absence would certainly make it difficult for Pojamarn to manage the other factions.

I bet that there are 10 selected already ... should move forward fast

Maybe, but it's still the job of the Senate to winnow this number down to 5. And they can't do that when there is no Senate.

Edited May 16, 2006 by tettyan