EC asks Thai govt to postpone Feb 2 election

[webfact]

EC asks govt to postpone Feb 2 election

BANGKOK: -- Election Commission on Thursday asked the government to postpone the snap election scheduled for February 2.

In its statement, the EC said that the poll should be delayed until all parties in conflict could settle their differences.


-- The Nation 2013-12-26

[webfact]

FEBRUARY 2 ELECTION
EC recommends election delay: statement
The Nation

EC : If the election is held as scheduled, it will surely be an election of debris and blood.

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission on Thursday recommended that the Yingluck government delay the snap election scheduled for February 2 until all the parties could settle their differences.

In its statement, it said that its recommendation stemmed from the violence that has broken out in the country.

"A failure to handle the situation could possibly lead to more violence and if the election is held as scheduled, that violence could escalate and result in chaos and casualties."

The recommendation came as police fired teargas at the protesters who attempted to storm the compound of the Thai-Japanese Stadium, a venue for election candidacy registration on Thursday morning.

The EC expressed regret about the violence on Thursday.

"The EC has earlier signalled its concerns of more violence in the country," the statement continued. It wanted to express its stance to the public that it would prefer that the government postpone the election until the conflicts could be settled.

It also implied that if nothing is done to settle the conflicts, it might decide to take such actions as may be within its authority to settle the situation.


-- The Nation 2013-12-26

[webfact]

EC proposes postponement of February 2 election

BANGKOK: -- The 5-member Election Commission issued a statement this afternoon proposing the caretaker government to put off the February 2 election, citing the current political instability and turmoil that has disrupted its election registration process.

In the statement, the EC said it is ready to mediate between the government and the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) to sit down for talk to resolve their differences on the election date until January 1.

It said that if nothing came out from the talk, it would exercise its right to decide by itself on the election date.

It said a meeting of the EC will be held January 2 and will announce its stance on the election on the same day.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ec-proposes-postponement-february-2-election/


-- Thai PBS 2013-12-26

[Thait Spot]

Sounds like a face-saving option for Yingluck

I guess Suthep's foot soldiers will go home only to be replaced by the red brigade

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[jaidam]

So is this game, set and match to Suthep? All of his demands have been met, after a short but desperate struggle by the government to resist, yet they capitulated every time. Yingluck will cease to be the acting PM imminently, possibly even before the day is out. The situation is very fluid and has been given a shot in the arm by the police sending 50 of the protesters to hospital with gunshot wounds.

[lovetotravel]

So is this game, set and match to Suthep? All of his demands have been met, after a short but desperate struggle by the government to resist, yet they capitulated every time. Yingluck will cease to be the acting PM imminently, possibly even before the day is out. The situation is very fluid and has been given a shot in the arm by the police sending 50 of the protesters to hospital with gunshot wounds.

The government has not agreed to anything yet. This is just the EC. Whom they can ignore just like they have other court orders/decisions. Right?

But it is kinda funny. Both the EC and the government have been insisting there's no way to postpone the elections. It will be interesting to see what happens now.

[soi41]

Sounds like a face-saving option for Yingluck I guess Suthep's foot soldiers will go home only to be replaced by the red brigade Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Sometimes I wish, there was a throw-up emoticon!!

[webfact]

Thai poll body urges election delay after clashes

by Anusak KONGLANG

BANGKOK, December 26, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's election commission urged the government Thursday to postpone February polls after dozens of people were injured in clashes between police and opposition protesters trying to disrupt preparations for the vote.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has faced weeks of mass street rallies seeking to curb her family's political dominance and install an unelected "people's council" to oversee electoral reforms.

Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets after demonstrators tried to force their way into a sports stadium in the capital where representatives of about 30 political parties were gathered for the registration process for the February 2 election.

Hours later the Election Commission held a news conference to recommend the polls be delayed indefinitely.

"We cannot organise free and fair elections under the constitution in the current circumstances," commission member Prawit Rattanapien said.

There was no immediate response from the government.

The main opposition Democrat Party -- which has not won an elected majority in about two decades -- has vowed to boycott the election.

Thirty-two people were hospitalised following Thursday's clashes, including one protester who was in a serious condition with an apparent gunshot wound to his head, a senior official at the public health ministry, Supan Srithamma, told AFP.

"It's likely that he was shot by a live bullet," he said.

Police said three of their officers were wounded, including one struck by a bullet in his arm.

Security forces denied firing live rounds, saying only rubber bullets and tear gas were used against the demonstrators.

"Protesters are not peaceful and unarmed as they claimed," Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said in a televised address.

"They are intimidating officials and trespassing in government buildings."

Several election commissioners were airlifted from the stadium by helicopter while other officials, party representatives and journalists were trapped inside.

Thailand has seen several bouts of political turmoil since Yingluck's older brother Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted as premier in a military coup in 2006.

His supporters have accused the protesters of trying to incite the military to seize power again, in a country which has seen 18 successful or attempted coups since 1932.

The political conflict broadly pits a Bangkok-based middle class and elite against rural and working-class voters loyal to Thaksin, who lives in self-exile.

The protesters accuse the billionaire tycoon-turned-politician of corruption and say he controls his sister's government from his base in Dubai.

The unrest, which has drawn tens of thousands of protesters onto the streets, has left five people dead and more than 200 wounded.

It is the worst civil strife since 2010, when more than 90 civilians were killed in a bloody military crackdown on opposition protests against the previous government.

The demonstrators have vowed to keep up their campaign to disrupt the polls, with protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban threatening to "shut down the country" to prevent people voting.

A second round of registrations for constituency candidates is due to begin at venues around the country on Saturday.

Yingluck's Puea Thai party said it planned to field candidates in all constituencies, despite the prospect of further attempts by the opposition to disrupt the process, particularly in its southern strongholds.

"If there is a problem we have to fight," Puea Thai leader Jarupong Ruangsuwan told AFP.

Thaksin is adored among rural communities and the working class, particularly in the north and northeast. But he is reviled by the elite, the Bangkok middle class and many southerners, who see him as corrupt and a threat to the revered monarchy.

Pro-Thaksin parties have won every election since 2001, most recently with a landslide victory under Yingluck two years ago.

The protesters want loosely-defined reforms -- such as an end to alleged "vote buying" -- before new elections are held in around a year to 18 months.

Critics argue that the planned changes are only aimed at ending the opposition's losing streak.

Yingluck on Wednesday proposed a "national reform council" made up of 499 representatives from various sectors to recommend constitutional amendments and economic and legal reforms, as well as anti-corruption measures.

But the protesters quickly rejected the idea, urging her to step down.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-12-26

[edwardandtubs]

If they have to wait until "all parties in conflict could settle their differences" then they'll be waiting forever. Isn't that exactly what Suthep wants?

[h90]

So is this game, set and match to Suthep? All of his demands have been met, after a short but desperate struggle by the government to resist, yet they capitulated every time. Yingluck will cease to be the acting PM imminently, possibly even before the day is out. The situation is very fluid and has been given a shot in the arm by the police sending 50 of the protesters to hospital with gunshot wounds.

No, the EC has an opinion. The government could say they don't agree and tell the EC to proceed with 2nd Feb.

At the same time big brother makes a few payments. And the Shin world is rosy again....

Just it might be too obvious.....

[noikrit]

............. Yes they will .... no they wont ........Yes they will ... no they wont ....... .... Will somebody ( in Thailand ) please take control

[h90]

If they have to wait until "all parties in conflict could settle their differences" then they'll be waiting forever. Isn't that exactly what Suthep wants?

No it isn't

[wordchild]

So is this game, set and match to Suthep? All of his demands have been met, after a short but desperate struggle by the government to resist, yet they capitulated every time. Yingluck will cease to be the acting PM imminently, possibly even before the day is out. The situation is very fluid and has been given a shot in the arm by the police sending 50 of the protesters to hospital with gunshot wounds.

The government has not agreed to anything yet. This is just the EC. Whom they can ignore just like they have other court orders/decisions. Right?

But it is kinda funny. Both the EC and the government have been insisting there's no way to postpone the elections. It will be interesting to see what happens now.

i don't think the govt has any choice now; the EC have said they cannot hold an election under the constitution in these circumstances. very difficult to see how they can just press on and hold an election without the EC (or at least without the current EC). Edited December 26, 2013 by wordchild

[LuckyLew]

Just wondering ... can an election proceed without an Election Committee?

If all 5 members reigned / quit .... can they still legally hold an election in Thailand

Anyone know?

[Thait Spot]

Sounds like a face-saving option for Yingluck I guess Suthep's foot soldiers will go home only to be replaced by the red brigade Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Sometimes I wish, there was a throw-up emoticon!!

A bag of salt usually works

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[PREM-R]

So is this game, set and match to Suthep? All of his demands have been met, after a short but desperate struggle by the government to resist, yet they capitulated every time. Yingluck will cease to be the acting PM imminently, possibly even before the day is out. The situation is very fluid and has been given a shot in the arm by the police sending 50 of the protesters to hospital with gunshot wounds.

"the police sending 50 of the protesters to hospital with gunshot wounds"

Please supply links to the information confirming that '50' protesters received 'gunshot' wounds.

[edwardandtubs]

If they have to wait until "all parties in conflict could settle their differences" then they'll be waiting forever. Isn't that exactly what Suthep wants?

No it isn't

Oh no it isn't, oh yes it is. I suppose that's a step up from blowing whistles in terms of political maturity.

[jayboy]

So is this game, set and match to Suthep? All of his demands have been met, after a short but desperate struggle by the government to resist, yet they capitulated every time. Yingluck will cease to be the acting PM imminently, possibly even before the day is out. The situation is very fluid and has been given a shot in the arm by the police sending 50 of the protesters to hospital with gunshot wounds.

No, the EC has an opinion. The government could say they don't agree and tell the EC to proceed with 2nd Feb.

At the same time big brother makes a few payments. And the Shin world is rosy again....

Just it might be too obvious.....

There was never much doubt the February 2nd election would be cancelled.What was less certain which coup created set of judges would be instructed to take the decision.

[webfact]

Chuwit supports election
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Rak Thailand Party leader Chuwit Kamolvisit showed his support to the national election.

He said that that whether reforms would take place before or after the elections, all will have to cast votes.

He said that the elections should be held, as this would pave way for other solutions.

He noted that this is the message that he would share with others, at any forums.


-- The Nation 2013-12-26

[Thailand]

If they have to wait until "all parties in conflict could settle their differences" then they'll be waiting forever. Isn't that exactly what Suthep wants?

Could simply have the election and let the people choose?

[CantSpell]

What a oversight from Mr T...

Tried to own parliament but forgot he had to own EC as well

Could have organized elections by himself, only allow little Sis registration and... et voila...

[fstarbkk]

Sounds like a face-saving option for Yingluck I guess Suthep's foot soldiers will go home only to be replaced by the red brigade Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Sometimes I wish, there was a throw-up emoticon!!

How's this?

[jayboy]

What a oversight from Mr T...

Tried to own parliament but forgot he had to own EC as well

Could have organized elections by himself, only allow little Sis registration and... et voila...

The EC is owned by others.

[Asiantravel]

So is this game, set and match to Suthep? All of his demands have been met, after a short but desperate struggle by the government to resist, yet they capitulated every time. Yingluck will cease to be the acting PM imminently, possibly even before the day is out. The situation is very fluid and has been given a shot in the arm by the police sending 50 of the protesters to hospital with gunshot wounds.

Wishful thinking on your part.

The Prime Minister has already agreed to set up her own People's Council .Suthep has been outsmarted at every move he tries to make

[nickynomates]

Can only see the army going in now to calm the children down.

What a oversight from Mr T...

Tried to own parliament but forgot he had to own EC as well

Could have organized elections by himself, only allow little Sis registration and... et voila...

The EC is owned by others.

[h90]

If they have to wait until "all parties in conflict could settle their differences" then they'll be waiting forever. Isn't that exactly what Suthep wants?

No it isn't

Oh no it isn't, oh yes it is. I suppose that's a step up from blowing whistles in terms of political maturity.

Just it is the opposite of what he told.........Actually he want fair elections in 14 month.

[aussieinthailand]

So is this game, set and match to Suthep? All of his demands have been met, after a short but desperate struggle by the government to resist, yet they capitulated every time. Yingluck will cease to be the acting PM imminently, possibly even before the day is out. The situation is very fluid and has been given a shot in the arm by the police sending 50 of the protesters to hospital with gunshot wounds.

"So is game set and match to Suthep"

I don't see the police using live fire on this group thins morning, But these thugs most certainly are using live rounds against the police and even murdered one of the police officers, and shot several others, So do you really applaud Suthep as having the "game" through the murder of this police officer???

[noikrit]

So is this game, set and match to Suthep? All of his demands have been met, after a short but desperate struggle by the government to resist, yet they capitulated every time. Yingluck will cease to be the acting PM imminently, possibly even before the day is out. The situation is very fluid and has been given a shot in the arm by the police sending 50 of the protesters to hospital with gunshot wounds.

"So is game set and match to Suthep"

I don't see the police using live fire on this group thins morning, But these thugs most certainly are using live rounds against the police and even murdered one of the police officers, and shot several others, So do you really applaud Suthep as having the "game" through the murder of this police officer???

Hey " Cobber" ... Can you tell us all where you got that information ?? QUOTE.. ", But these thugs most certainly are using live rounds against the police and even murdered one of the police officers, and shot several others...". Just a simple Link will be ok .. Maybe I've missed some news .....

Edited December 26, 2013 by noikrit

[Scamper]

This is an inevitable plea from the EC. It is also hugely appropriate. There is no way the EC can control this situation or the police. The divisions expressed are simply too wide-spread. And now, the situation has turned fatal. It is time for Yingluck to ease this situation. It is time for Yingluck to postpone the election, and to initiate a period of reform, where her government's sincerity will be put to strong public scrutiny, and where a chance for real reform might take place.

[billd766]

So is this game, set and match to Suthep? All of his demands have been met, after a short but desperate struggle by the government to resist, yet they capitulated every time. Yingluck will cease to be the acting PM imminently, possibly even before the day is out. The situation is very fluid and has been given a shot in the arm by the police sending 50 of the protesters to hospital with gunshot wounds.

"So is game set and match to Suthep"

I don't see the police using live fire on this group thins morning, But these thugs most certainly are using live rounds against the police and even murdered one of the police officers, and shot several others, So do you really applaud Suthep as having the "game" through the murder of this police officer???

Sigh. Do you have ANY proof or evidence at all that the protesters have killed any policemen?

If you have then publish it wil ALL the attendent links and proof then send it to Tarit Pengdith at the DSI.

If not then admit you have lied, again.