Constituency candidate registrations in six southern Thai provinces suspended

[webfact]

Constituency candidate registrations in six southern provinces suspended
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission announced at 11 am Saturday that registrations of constituency-based candidates in 32 constituencies in six southern provinces could not proceed on the first day Saturday.

The EC said 343 of 375 constituencies in other provinces could proceed with the candidate registrations.

The six southern provinces are Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Songkhla, Surat Thani and Patthalung. Protesters in the provinces blocked candidates from submitting their applications.

EC member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said mounting pressure from protesters prompted EC officials in the six southern provinces to suspend the candidate registrations.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, the provincial EC committee did not receive permission from local government offices to use the offices as registration venues. When they rented a place from a private firm, protesters intimidated the firm and the EC officials. Somchai said the number of protesters in Nakhon Si Thammarat was growing, prompting the registration to be suspended.

In Chumphon, a constituency director resigned, he said. In Surat Thani, the number of protesters surrounding registration venues were growing and the protesters camped outside since Friday night.

In Krabi, the protesters allowed only the provincial EC chief and two officials to enter the registration venue while protesters surrounded all registration venues in Songkhla, Somchai said.

He added that the protesters in Prachuap Khiri Khan were gathering more outside registration venues.

Somchai said he would hold a video conference with EC officials in the six provinces at 4:30 pm to hear their problems and to access the situation.


-- The Nation 2013-12-28

[webfact]

Protests mar candidacy registration in southern provinces



BANGKOK: -- Registration of constituency candidacy in several southern provinces on Saturday was rendered impossible due to protests.

In Chumporn province, hundreds of protesters laid siege to the election centre in Muang district, making it impossible for election officials and candidates to get in prompting the police to negotiate with the protesters to allow the registration to proceed.

However, it was reported that the election director had abruptly resigned rendering the registration of candidacy impossible until there is a replacement which is being considered by the provincial election commission.

In Krabi province, protesters laid siege to the election centre and put up a banner in front of the centre which reads: “Reform First before proceeding…”. It was reported that election officials were unable to get into the centre and were waiting outside.

Blockade of election centre was also reported in Nakhon Si Thammarat where protesters attacked the government and the Election Commission for proceeding with the election without undertaking reform.

Protest was also staged in Satun province but the protesters did not block the election centre.

Election commissioner for electoral affairs Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said Saturday that officials would try to negotiate with protesters to lift the siege to allow the registration to proceed. However, he added that he would assess the situation to determine what to do next.

The commissioner disclosed that the EC would try to bring the government and the People’s Democratic Reform Committee to come together for talks about the election before the yearend. But he declined to disclose where the meeting was to take place.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/protests-mar-candidacy-registration-southern-provinces/


-- Thai PBS 2013-12-28

[catmac]

Democracy Suthep style.

[TheWatcher]

I think the people do not need be ordered what to do now. They know how to do this themselves.

This election will be killed, even if only one constituency has no candidates register, then the election can not advance.

[Nowhereman60]

The election will move on even if the Army needs to escort each candidate to register. Suthep can not stop us

[oldthaihand99]

The election will move on even if the Army needs to escort each candidate to register. Suthep can not stop us

The army is on Suthep's side.

[Mosha]

They can register all they want down south. You can lead an horse to water but you can't make him drink. I believe the majority down the peninsula won't vote.

[Briggsy]

You wouldn't think there was such a thing as the internet, would you? Or postal service, or couriers, or fax machines, or printers, or scanners, etc.

[soi41]

I wish those idiots would try to pull the same stunt in Udon, Buriram or Surin!!

[ginjag]

The election will move on even if the Army needs to escort each candidate to register. Suthep can not stop us

US ???

[Thait Spot]

I wish those idiots would try to pull the same stunt in Udon, Buriram or Surin!!

Why on earth would they do that?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ginjag]

I wish those idiots would try to pull the same stunt in Udon, Buriram or Surin!!

Why on earth would they do that?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Suppose Soi41, thinks if he were in those areas the red mob would protect him. They would walk over him, they want only money and subsidies. Do not get in their way. Soi41, ask the red shirts to go down south and try something similar.

[fab4]

I think the people do not need be ordered what to do now. They know how to do this themselves.

This election will be killed, even if only one constituency has no candidates register, then the election can not advance.

You know, that sounds just like something Nibbles48 would have said. Welcome to the forum

[Siripon]

Dear Ms Yingluck,

I do hope you're enjoying your holiday in the north, it seems to have been a long time since you graced the streets of Bangkok but who can blame you for avoiding all those whistles, ladies and toms visiting your mansion.

This election idea of Maeo doesn't seem to be working out too well though, I know the idea is you win the election thanks to Issan and the north and then the rest of the country has to accept your reforms, whatever they are, because you won the election.

You can say,'the people have spoken, we returned power to the people, ( not really), now Opposition, you must shut up''.

But if elections prove to be impossible in the south and Bangkok is in turmoil, won't it become a pyrrhic victory?

If 11 million vote no and there is no opposition in Parliament then the end of the soi that Maeo wanted us all to go to will truly become a dead end.

Happy New Year.

[kurtgruen]

If it wasn't for all those poor souls, getting injured and killed on both sides, this would be quite an interesting play

Everybody, is guessing at the outcome, but my guess is, that the outcome, has long been decided.

I doubt, that this "Caretaker" Government, will last much longer.

....and yes, I agree, without every constituency having a chance to register, or vote, there is no valid election. They will need to trash it, or try again, if legal time frame allows for it

[Nowhereman60]

The EC need to caught up with modern times like the man in Dubai. Use Skype (video), (scanner) email, fax, online registration. TS can teach them all a good lesson.

[Scamper]

The army has pledged to safeguard polling stations on election day - that is, if the election takes place - but they cannot stop this, nor can they confront any other form of blockade or protest. Their resources simply cannot be spread as such. Moreover, they do not want to get involved. Having said that, there could be a tipping point. It is hard to imagine the election taking place from a purely practical point of view, which makes the administration's daily calls on proceeding with it all the more disconnected to the reality on the ground. And then there's Yingluck - who on occasion doesn't seem to be even aware she's prime minister - tending to whatever the party deems her capable of in Chiang Mai - which apparently isn't much.

[Bluespunk]

The election will move on even if the Army needs to escort each candidate to register. Suthep can not stop us

US ???

Was thinking the same thing.

[soi41]

I wish those idiots would try to pull the same stunt in Udon, Buriram or Surin!!

Why on earth would they do that?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Suppose Soi41, thinks if he were in those areas the red mob would protect him. They would walk over him, they want only money and subsidies. Do not get in their way. Soi41, ask the red shirts to go down south and try something similar.

The fact that I don't agree with intimidation and violence, makes me a redshirt??

Suthep-"logic"??

[ramrod711]

Democracy Suthep style.

Instigated by a corrupt government attempting to pass an illegal, immoral and unconstitutional bill in the middle of the night. The same government that would not accept the rule of the constitutional court will now ask them for a more favourable ruling. You may not like Suthep, I don't like him either, but you can't dismiss the hundreds of thousands of citizens who came out to the streets to protest against this sham of a government.

[Costas2008]

The election will move on even if the Army needs to escort each candidate to register. Suthep can not stop us

You must be able to vote then, if you are so passionate about PTP.

Congratulations.....how did you achieve that?

[bunny11kk]

Dear Ms Yingluck,

I do hope you're enjoying your holiday in the north, it seems to have been a long time since you graced the streets of Bangkok but who can blame you for avoiding all those whistles, ladies and toms visiting your mansion.

This election idea of Maeo doesn't seem to be working out too well though, I know the idea is you win the election thanks to Issan and the north and then the rest of the country has to accept your reforms, whatever they are, because you won the election.

You can say,'the people have spoken, we returned power to the people, ( not really), now Opposition, you must shut up''.

But if elections prove to be impossible in the south and Bangkok is in turmoil, won't it become a pyrrhic victory?

If 11 million vote no and there is no opposition in Parliament then the end of the soi that Maeo wanted us all to go to will truly become a dead end.

Happy New Year.

I seriously doubt if she know what you are talking about. This evil government is destroying Thailand for sure.

[bunny11kk]

Democracy Suthep style.

Instigated by a corrupt government attempting to pass an illegal, immoral and unconstitutional bill in the middle of the night. The same government that would not accept the rule of the constitutional court will now ask them for a more favourable ruling. You may not like Suthep, I don't like him either, but you can't dismiss the hundreds of thousands of citizens who came out to the streets to protest against this sham of a government.

Well say!!!!!!

[surangw]

who is this designed to piss off?

[Thait Spot]

My understanding is that if 20 constituencies cannot have a successful election then the entire election is null and void.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[SamMunich]

ThaiSpot asked:

My understanding is that if 20 constituencies cannot have a successful election then the entire election is null and void.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Well, the constitution says, that for the initial meeting of a new parliament, 95% of all MPs must attend, i.e. 95% of 475 MPs (if my memory serves me right), else the parliament can not proceed. So if 24 MPs are missing, for whatever reason, the first meeting can not take place. If no one is elected in one constituency, because nobody registeres as candidate, OR if only ONE candidate registers and he gets less than 20% of ALL ELEGIBLE voters, then this seat is not taken and needs a new attempt at elections. The parliament must convene within 30 days of the election date. What if it can't? Maybe too many candidates won but were red-carded, and a new election can not happen in time? The consitution is quite tough in this regards. They will propably have to bend the constitution (again?).

I guess the Democrats were looking at their chances, when deciding to boycott these elections. And as it seems now, there will be more than 24 seats not being contested in six provinces in the south.

Another interesting feature: The PTP has to incorporate the formerly barred members of TRT and PT, aka House No 109 and 111. I can imagine, there will be a lot of bad blood flowing, when the old and new folks are fighting for being put up as candidates in the various constituencies.

And lets not forget all the farmer families on the PTP list: the Yuubamrungs, the Thientongs, the Asavahames, the Chidchobs (for another party, but affiliated with the PTP) and many other "farming families", who stand with their whole clan of sometimes 6 relatives waiting to enter Parliament...

Sam

[cbluck58]

Since it has become patently obvious that the Thai people neither understand nor are capable of accepting democracy then maybe it is time for a coup after all - Go army......

[fab4]

Democracy Suthep style.

Instigated by a corrupt government attempting to pass an illegal, immoral and unconstitutional bill in the middle of the night. The same government that would not accept the rule of the constitutional court will now ask them for a more favourable ruling. You may not like Suthep, I don't like him either, but you can't dismiss the hundreds of thousands of citizens who came out to the streets to protest against this sham of a government.

So why don't they show their disagreement via the Election?

[englishoak]

Democracy Suthep style.

Instigated by a corrupt government attempting to pass an illegal, immoral and unconstitutional bill in the middle of the night. The same government that would not accept the rule of the constitutional court will now ask them for a more favourable ruling. You may not like Suthep, I don't like him either, but you can't dismiss the hundreds of thousands of citizens who came out to the streets to protest against this sham of a government.

So why don't they show their disagreement via the Election?

Because if they dont take part they cant be accused of losing.... ie losing face.... its that old thainess again you see........

[fab4]

ThaiSpot asked:

My understanding is that if 20 constituencies cannot have a successful election then the entire election is null and void.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Well, the constitution says, that for the initial meeting of a new parliament, 95% of all MPs must attend, i.e. 95% of 475 MPs (if my memory serves me right), else the parliament can not proceed. So if 24 MPs are missing, for whatever reason, the first meeting can not take place. If no one is elected in one constituency, because nobody registeres as candidate, OR if only ONE candidate registers and he gets less than 20% of ALL ELEGIBLE voters, then this seat is not taken and needs a new attempt at elections. The parliament must convene within 30 days of the election date. What if it can't? Maybe too many candidates won but were red-carded, and a new election can not happen in time? The consitution is quite tough in this regards. They will propably have to bend the constitution (again?).

I guess the Democrats were looking at their chances, when deciding to boycott these elections. And as it seems now, there will be more than 24 seats not being contested in six provinces in the south.

Another interesting feature: The PTP has to incorporate the formerly barred members of TRT and PT, aka House No 109 and 111. I can imagine, there will be a lot of bad blood flowing, when the old and new folks are fighting for being put up as candidates in the various constituencies.

And lets not forget all the farmer families on the PTP list: the Yuubamrungs, the Thientongs, the Asavahames, the Chidchobs (for another party, but affiliated with the PTP) and many other "farming families", who stand with their whole clan of sometimes 6 relatives waiting to enter Parliament...

Sam

The 20% rule was changed by abhisits government. Now if the 20% is not reached the first time a by election is called. If the same thing happens again there will be another by election. If it happens once more the Party with the candidate wins the by election by default. Quite ironic really............

http://asiancorrespondent.com/117295/democrats-boycott-problem/