EC chairman is not confident Feb 2 election can be held

[webfact]

EC chairman is not confident election can be held



BANGKOK: -- Election Commission chairman Supachai Somcharoen has warned the government not to proceed with the February 2 election saying that it will not benefit the government and that it will never be in peace.

In an exclusive with the INN news agency, Mr Supachai admitted that he was not confident at all that the February 2 election would take place and even if the election is held, the House of Representatives may not be opened for the first meeting because the number of elected MPs may not be up to 95 percent or 475 MPs required for the opening of the House.

The EC chairman pointed out that ongoing protests against the registration of constituency candidacy in southern provinces could result in no elections in 26 constituencies if there is an election on February 2.

He said he had already conveyed his concern to the government and insisted that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has the authority to postpone the election.

He urged all parties in the political conflict including the People’s Democratic Reform Committee to try to thrash out their difference through negotiations rather than boasting about their patriotism.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ec-chairman-confident-election-can-held/


-- Thai PBS 2013-12-31

[Local Drunk]

"He said he had already conveyed his concern to the government and insisted that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has the authority to postpone the election."

And she says she hasn't the authority... Someone is clearly wrong here.

[MegaRanter]

Elect them where you can, and appoint them where you can't. Suthep loves appointed governments.

[ratcatcher]

"He said he had already conveyed his concern to the government and insisted that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has the authority to postpone the election."

And she says she hasn't the authority... Someone is clearly wrong here.

Is it possible the "authority" is playing golf in Dubai?

[dinom]

"He said he had already conveyed his concern to the government and insisted that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has the authority to postpone the election."

And she says she hasn't the authority... Someone is clearly wrong here.

She has no authority since her brother said there will be an election. End of story...

[BKKBrit]

"He said he had already conveyed his concern to the government and insisted that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has the authority to postpone the election."

And she says she hasn't the authority... Someone is clearly wrong here.

Exactly, All someone has to do is point to the clause in the Constitution that shows the conditions of an election and who and under what circumstances the election can be postponed...but no one has been able to do that yet.

PT says it's mandated to be held no less than 45 days and no more than 60 days after house dissolution but the PDRC and EC say it can be delayed...I wish the latter would say how it can be delayed within the ambit of the Constitution.

Edited December 31, 2013 by BKKBrit

[MaxLee]

EC chairman is not confident election can be held

EC: "Where is our money???"

[angsta]

If he is unable to do his job then he should resign and they can appoint someone who is competent.

[englishoak]

"He said he had already conveyed his concern to the government and insisted that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has the authority to postpone the election."

And she says she hasn't the authority... Someone is clearly wrong here.

Exactly, All someone has to do is point to the clause in the Constitution that shows the conditions of an election and who and under what circumstances the election can be postponed...but no one has been able to do that yet.

PT says it's mandated to be held no less than 45 days and no more than 60 days after house dissolution but the PDRC and EC say it can be delayed...I wish the latter would say how it can be delayed within the ambit of the Constitution.

This does seem to be typical, plenty of claims and demands ... but no details of how from PDRC .... if it is possible to delay then spell it out exactly what circumstances and how ...... still waiting which increasingly leads me to believe within the current framework or circumstance it isnt possible.

If it were I would expect them to be slapping the section # article ~ etc etc all over the media.... hasnt happened yet ...

[TVGerry]

If he is unable to do his job then he should resign and they can appoint someone who is competent.

That's funny. PTP government and competence are two words that don't go together!

[londonthai]

if he is unsure of his own competency than should leave the job and gave a way to his deputy. His only purpose should be running election, not obstructing it

[soi41]

If he is unable to do his job then he should resign and they can appoint someone who is competent.

That's funny. PTP government and competence are two words that don't go together!

Just like madman Suthep, democracy and intelligence should not be mentioned in the same sentence!!

[TVGerry]

If he is unable to do his job then he should resign and they can appoint someone who is competent.

That's funny. PTP government and competence are two words that don't go together!

Just like madman Suthep, democracy and intelligence should not be mentioned in the same sentence!!

Shows how bad things are with the PTP in charge when so many people would rather support a non democratic and 'stupid' alternative to the Shinawatras running this country.

[webfact]

EC Chairman warns government about pushing for elections

BANGKOK 31 December 2013 (NNT) — The Election Commission (EC) Chairman has warned Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra about pushing forward for an election, stating that more problems will definitely loom in the future should the government continue to do so.

EC Chairman, Supachai Somcharoen, has warned the government that pushing ahead with the general elections may cause problems in the future; a notable reason being that many registration venues have been surrounded by protesters trying to obstruct the registration process.

Mr. Supachai pointed out that he was not even sure the EC would receive the required 95% registration for the constituency-based candidates due to the obstructions.

After speaking with the government, Mr. Supachai urged those who said they loved the country to actually stand by their words and start helping each other find a solution to the political deadlock for the benefit of the people.


-- NNT 2013-12-31

[Thailand]

if he is unsure of his own competency than should leave the job and gave a way to his deputy. His only purpose should be running election, not obstructing it

Pressure from the powers behind Suthep?

Step down and let somebody with balls do the job, male or female!

[PeterSmiles]

"He said he had already conveyed his concern to the government and insisted that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has the authority to postpone the election."

And she says she hasn't the authority... Someone is clearly wrong here.

Exactly, All someone has to do is point to the clause in the Constitution that shows the conditions of an election and who and under what circumstances the election can be postponed...but no one has been able to do that yet.

PT says it's mandated to be held no less than 45 days and no more than 60 days after house dissolution but the PDRC and EC say it can be delayed...I wish the latter would say how it can be delayed within the ambit of the Constitution.

.I wish the latter would say how it can be delayed within the ambit of the Constitution.

If she resigns.

[soi41]

Teleconference on Skype:

Q: Brother, brother, this nasty man tells me no elections!!

A: Sis dear, use the army, the police, a sniper or two and pray to the ghosts, but promise me never to lose sight of the magic 180 days!!

Fore!!

[englishoak]

If he is unable to do his job then he should resign and they can appoint someone who is competent.

That's funny. PTP government and competence are two words that don't go together!

Just like madman Suthep, democracy and intelligence should not be mentioned in the same sentence!!

Shows how bad things are with the PTP in charge when so many people would rather support a non democratic and 'stupid' alternative to the Shinawatras running this country.

Not that im a fan of the Shins but as has been said so many times..... a few hundred thousand or even a million is not that many in a country of 75 million... sorry to burst the bubble. And I doubt very very much if the majority of original protesters want the alternative undemocratic option laid out for them either just the former problem and issue gone.

This nutjob has hijacked the original protests and is now reverting to kind... which is good in a horrible way as its open for all to see.

[englishoak]

"He said he had already conveyed his concern to the government and insisted that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has the authority to postpone the election."

And she says she hasn't the authority... Someone is clearly wrong here.

Exactly, All someone has to do is point to the clause in the Constitution that shows the conditions of an election and who and under what circumstances the election can be postponed...but no one has been able to do that yet.

PT says it's mandated to be held no less than 45 days and no more than 60 days after house dissolution but the PDRC and EC say it can be delayed...I wish the latter would say how it can be delayed within the ambit of the Constitution.

.I wish the latter would say how it can be delayed within the ambit of the Constitution.

If she resigns.

Proof please

[PeterSmiles]

"He said he had already conveyed his concern to the government and insisted that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has the authority to postpone the election."

And she says she hasn't the authority... Someone is clearly wrong here.

Exactly, All someone has to do is point to the clause in the Constitution that shows the conditions of an election and who and under what circumstances the election can be postponed...but no one has been able to do that yet.

PT says it's mandated to be held no less than 45 days and no more than 60 days after house dissolution but the PDRC and EC say it can be delayed...I wish the latter would say how it can be delayed within the ambit of the Constitution.

.I wish the latter would say how it can be delayed within the ambit of the Constitution.

If she resigns.

Proof please

When the PM resigns then there is no acting government anymore, so can also not have the duty to hold elections.

[soi41]

EC Chairman warns government about pushing for elections

.After speaking with the government, Mr. Supachai urged those who said they loved the country to actually stand by their words and start helping each other find a solution to the political deadlock for the benefit of the people.

-- NNT 2013-12-31

A good start would be if Mr Supachai actually did the job he was appointed for!!

Use whatever means needed, the police or the army, and make the registration happen, so the elections can go ahead!!

Stop bending over (Thainess) for an undemocratic madman and his rent-a-mob!!

Time for an inactive post??

[xminator]

It is out of the governments power to suspend an election. It is that simple. This is the democratic mechanism that make sure noone can stay in power against the majority will.

Bring on the elections, I want to see just how deep this people movement of Suthep really is.

[whybother]

"He said he had already conveyed his concern to the government and insisted that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has the authority to postpone the election."

And she says she hasn't the authority... Someone is clearly wrong here.

Exactly, All someone has to do is point to the clause in the Constitution that shows the conditions of an election and who and under what circumstances the election can be postponed...but no one has been able to do that yet.

PT says it's mandated to be held no less than 45 days and no more than 60 days after house dissolution but the PDRC and EC say it can be delayed...I wish the latter would say how it can be delayed within the ambit of the Constitution.

.I wish the latter would say how it can be delayed within the ambit of the Constitution.

If she resigns.

That wouldn't delay the election. A new care-taker PM would be appointed, and the elections would go ahead as planned.

[tominbkk]

You guys notice how every 40 feet there is a Yingluck poster, and nobody else's? Some democracy, huh?

[whybother]

When the PM resigns then there is no acting government anymore, so can also not have the duty to hold elections.

Based on that theory, there could never be elections again if she resigned.

If she resigns, there is still a care-taker government in place. A deputy (care-taker) PM would take over, and everything would proceed as normal.

[whybother]

if he is unsure of his own competency than should leave the job and gave a way to his deputy. His only purpose should be running election, not obstructing it

Pressure from the powers behind Suthep?

Step down and let somebody with balls do the job, male or female!

If the EC Chairman was to stand down, that would probably favour the anti-government protesters. It would take time to appoint a new Chairman and EC member, so that would probably cause a delay to the elections.

[PeterSmiles]

When the PM resigns then there is no acting government anymore, so can also not have the duty to hold elections.

Based on that theory, there could never be elections again if she resigned.

If she resigns, there is still a care-taker government in place. A deputy (care-taker) PM would take over, and everything would proceed as normal.

An interim government would be appointed, which will be given a timeframe to hold elections.

Thaksin was care taker for something like 6 months before he was ousted by a coup.

After he was ousted an interim government appointed by he army took care of the country for more than a year before holding elections.

Edited December 31, 2013 by PeterSmiles

[billd766]

IIRC when Thaksin dissolved parliament on 5th April 2006 he became caretaker PM. Thaksin formally resigned before the King.

Pol Gen Chitchai Wannasathit took over until 23rd May 2006 when Thaksin (haven promised to quit politics forever) snatched back power but had no real legal power.

He stayed as caretaker PM until 19th when he was replaced by the Army in the coup.

There was NO election from April until September which was over 150 days so there is a precedent already.

Googling Prime Ministers of Thailand will give you an idea of how long.

Edited December 31, 2013 by billd766

[englishoak]

When the PM resigns then there is no acting government anymore, so can also not have the duty to hold elections.

Based on that theory, there could never be elections again if she resigned.

If she resigns, there is still a care-taker government in place. A deputy (care-taker) PM would take over, and everything would proceed as normal.

An interim government would be appointed, which will be given a timeframe to hold elections.

Thaksin was care taker for something like 6 months before he was ousted by a coup.

After he was ousted an interim government appointed by he army took care of the country for more than a year before holding elections.

Think youll find the gov would remain and just another PM appointed caretaker from it.

This is not the same as interim gov appointed by the army this is an election process has already been called by an existing civil government and therefore must adhere to the rules.

Regardless im making assumptions but I asked a simple Q that hasnt been shown by anyone neither here nor by the EC or the PDRC......

Still waiting for proof like a ruling or an article # sub section ~ and not just a supposition by you

[Scamper]

And that's really it in a nutshell. The head of the EC states it like it is. The administration has no choice, even if they were to forcibly open these Southern constituencies, or transfer their offices to police stations - which would increase the likelihood of violence - or the army - which is something the army would never allow itself to get dragged into. Even if all constituencies fully functioned, a massive " no " vote in any one of them would likely overtake the leading candidate and nullify the results. And there are more than enough constituencies in the South to nullify the election's threshold of 95 % constituencies. And that is not even taking into consideration Bangkok, which will similarly follow suit. There is simply no way that this parliament will have 95 % duly elected representatives. And that means reform will be inevitable, whether an election is held or not.