EC says no extension of candidacy registration

[Lite Beer]

EC says no extension of candidacy registration

The Election Commission has rejected a proposal that the registration of constituency candidacy should be extended by a few more days because it is against the election regulation and may affect the election process.

EC Secretary-General Puchong Nutrawong said Wednesday that the Pheu Thai party’s proposal for the registration period in problematic provinces where candidacy registration has been blocked by protesters to be extended was not possible because of the regulation which has fixed the timetable of the registration.

Also, he explained that extension of the registration timetable could affect the EC’s work in examining all the lists of the candidates. He, however, said that the EC would meet on Thursday to consider all the problems affecting the candidacy registration and decide what to do next.

He disclosed for the first four days of registration of constituency candidacy since December 28, a total of 917 candidates have registered but there are still problems in seven southern provinces namely Songkhla, Krabi, Trang, Chumphorn, Phuket, Surat Thani and Phatthalung where registration has been blocked by protesters.

On top of that the election directors in Surat Thani and Krabi have also resigned, he added.

Election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, meanwhile, warned government officials from ministerial-level down to lower levels to be neutral and fair if they are supportive of the EC in the staging of candidacy registration.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ec-says-extension-candidacy-registration/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ec-says-extension-candidacy-registration

-- Thai PBS 2014-01-01

[TVGerry]

Is the government going to threaten to replace the whole EC for sticking to the rule book? Or rules don't apply when it's against them?

The police are just ineffectual and haven't done their jobs protecting the candidates wanting to register.

[kurtgruen]

So, what is the deadline for registration of Candidates?

[Scamper]

What we are seeing here is a clear - and public - battle of wills between the administration and the EC. The EC - which has grown progressively frustrated with the administration's increasingly and occasionally bizarre unilateral moves to wrest the election-oversight responsibility from the EC over to themselves - is, at this point, just a step away from throwing in the towel. They seem to have had it. And Pheu Thai's recent action - in clear violation of the EC's request - to helicopter candidates to a police station in the middle of the night for an impromptu and clandestine registration, was worthy of Hitchcock. The EC at this point - mindful of the multitude of electoral process transgressions that are piling up - will likely need to jump ship, rather than risk being implicated with them, in what will inevitably at some point be the subject of constitutional court challenge. But the desperation of Pheu Thai to have this election at all cost, will in the end be completely to no avail, as a massive " no " vote in the South will keep parliament far short of the 95 % occupancy minimum needed to convene.

[soi41]

"On top of that the election directors in Surat Thani and Krabi have also resigned"

An excellent example of Thainess, when things get complicated we do like this:

[MaxLee]

"EC says no extension of candidacy registration"

"Money first, then you get amnesty"...

[JoeThePoster]

Can't they register online in the 21st century? Oops, just remembered that this is Thailand - sorry for that brain fart.

[Thailand]

With today's modern technology you would at least think there would be some sort of system of online registration. Not difficult to authenticate.

But there you go. TIT

[Thailand]

Can't they register online in the 21st century? Oops, just remembered that this is Thailand - sorry for that brain fart.

Snap!

[JAG]

What we are seeing here is a clear - and public - battle of wills between the administration and the EC. The EC - which has grown progressively frustrated with the administration's increasingly and occasionally bizarre unilateral moves to wrest the election-oversight responsibility from the EC over to themselves - is, at this point, just a step away from throwing in the towel. They seem to have had it. And Pheu Thai's recent action - in clear violation of the EC's request - to helicopter candidates to a police station in the middle of the night for an impromptu and clandestine registration, was worthy of Hitchcock. The EC at this point - mindful of the multitude of electoral process transgressions that are piling up - will likely need to jump ship, rather than risk being implicated with them, in what will inevitably at some point be the subject of constitutional court challenge. But the desperation of Pheu Thai to have this election at all cost, will in the end be completely to no avail, as a massive " no " vote in the South will keep parliament far short of the 95 % occupancy minimum needed to convene.

An alternative view is that the EC is supine before the attempts by the People's Democratic Campaign For Whatever It Is Called This Week to prevent the election.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[icare999]

isn't the deadline today and if so surely their are more than 5% of constituencies which have no candidate and so parliament cannot open so whats point of having an election or do we just have one its declared invalid and then another until army step in. In any case it seems almost certain that their wont be 95% of mps to have a parliament.

So this is going to go on and on until army step in their seems no other wand I for one and many Thiasi would prefer that to Taksin and his clan continuing

[PeterSmiles]

What we are seeing here is a clear - and public - battle of wills between the administration and the EC. The EC - which has grown progressively frustrated with the administration's increasingly and occasionally bizarre unilateral moves to wrest the election-oversight responsibility from the EC over to themselves - is, at this point, just a step away from throwing in the towel. They seem to have had it. And Pheu Thai's recent action - in clear violation of the EC's request - to helicopter candidates to a police station in the middle of the night for an impromptu and clandestine registration, was worthy of Hitchcock. The EC at this point - mindful of the multitude of electoral process transgressions that are piling up - will likely need to jump ship, rather than risk being implicated with them, in what will inevitably at some point be the subject of constitutional court challenge. But the desperation of Pheu Thai to have this election at all cost, will in the end be completely to no avail, as a massive " no " vote in the South will keep parliament far short of the 95 % occupancy minimum needed to convene.

The point is that everyone including the EC understands that the elections should be delayed and reform should come first, so they do everything in their legal power to get there.

There is only one desperate party that is afraid that they are not in power at the moment the bill, which they say is off the table, returns back to parliament.

[kurtgruen]

Just another step backwards, for Yingluck, on her constant retreat. She will probably be happy right now, if the EC says, there will be no election in February. Since she is in control of State media, which most Thai people watch, it will give her more time to brainwash people, into her brothers way of thinking.

At this point, she will do anything, to see the protesters go home. She will tell them anything, they want to hea r.

The other side, may not be better, but I think, at this time, it is the best, to remove all the Thaksin clan, from the political circles. From there, hopefully, something better will develop in the future. Thaksin had his chance and he screwed it up....

The killing of hundreds of innocent people, while he was in power...\

Letting poor people borrow money against their lands and houses, with three years of no interest and no payments, with everything coming do after those three years. (Most people, who borrowed under this scheme, lost everything. It was one of the biggest land grabs in Thai history)

The rice scheme...

Selling of Thai assets, to other Nations

It's time to move on and get rid of Thaksin and his puppets for good.

[janderton]

The point is that everyone including the EC understands that the elections should be delayed ....

the point is that.. there is a royal decree of house dissolution signed by HM on dec 9th: art 108 of the constituion issued by the junta clearly state that new election must be held in a range of 45-60 days, this put 2 feb as last sunday abailable within election deadline.

PS i'd never ever give my preference to a prime minister (or a party) which trample on the constitution he previosly gave a oath

[Prbkk]

The role of the EC is to run the election, not provide gratuitous advice on political issues. This guy should just get oin with it, accept the advice of the PM and run the election as planned. If the Democrats don't want to be part of it ( although MANY do but are scared to say so), so be it

[spare5]

The role of the EC is to run the election, not provide gratuitous advice on political issues. This guy should just get oin with it, accept the advice of the PM and run the election as planned. If the Democrats don't want to be part of it ( although MANY do but are scared to say so), so be it

Democrate don't want to be part, and no one else can also.

[lostinsurin]

isn't the deadline today and if so surely their are more than 5% of constituencies which have no candidate and so parliament cannot open so whats point of having an election or do we just have one its declared invalid and then another until army step in. In any case it seems almost certain that their wont be 95% of mps to have a parliament.

So this is going to go on and on until army step in their seems no other wand I for one and many Thiasi would prefer that to Taksin and his clan continuing

Yes, you and many Thiasi, but how many are many Thiasi ?

PS what is a Thiasi? are they dangerous?

Edited January 1, 2014 by lostinsurin

[ChrisY1]

"The Election Commission has rejected a proposal that the registration of constituency candidacy should be extended by a few more days because it is against the election regulation and may affect the election process."

A pathetic organisation if ever there was one..........Thailand only makes it seem worse.

Of course there will be extensions of time for registration.....!

[darren84310]

Had Thaksin came back to face the two year prison sentence when it was imposed, he would have been out by now.

Oh yeah, maybe he was afraid of all the other charges that would have followed and been found guilty of.

[spirit47]

No election on February 2, no headlights by day... The reds are on election campaign with Government Helicopters and State Broadcasting, free music all over Isaan...And than, the Aluminium pots wits lead, its not fair...

[gerry1011]

Funny people these EC members...

They suggested to delay the elections, which is against the constitution, ... but they don't want to extend the registration because it is "against the election regulation"...
Go figure ...

[PeterSmiles]

Funny people these EC members...

They suggested to delay the elections, which is against the constitution, ... but they don't want to extend the registration because it is "against the election regulation"...

Go figure ...

Since when is the constitution considered of importance in PT's book ?

Oh yes, when it suits the cowards.

[gerry1011]

Funny people these EC members...

They suggested to delay the elections, which is against the constitution, ... but they don't want to extend the registration because it is "against the election regulation"...

Go figure ...

Since when is the constitution considered of importance in PT's book ?

Oh yes, when it suits the cowards.

The EC and the government are two different things ... Stay focused

[PeterSmiles]

Funny people these EC members...

They suggested to delay the elections, which is against the constitution, ... but they don't want to extend the registration because it is "against the election regulation"...

Go figure ...

Since when is the constitution considered of importance in PT's book ?

Oh yes, when it suits the cowards.

The EC and the government are two different things ... Stay focused

Stay focused

They suggested to delay the elections, which Yingluck said is against the constitution,

[gerry1011]

Funny people these EC members...

They suggested to delay the elections, which is against the constitution, ... but they don't want to extend the registration because it is "against the election regulation"...

Go figure ...

Since when is the constitution considered of importance in PT's book ?

Oh yes, when it suits the cowards.

The EC and the government are two different things ... Stay focused

Stay focused

They suggested to delay the elections, which Yingluck said is against the constitution,

And once again she was right to make the EC remember it.

Maybe the EC did not know that their suggestion was unconstitutional.

Hopefully there is still a PM to handle the situation

Sent from my HTC One using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[waza]

What to do, cant have an election without candidates and cant postpone without breaching the constitution? Maybe its time for Yingluck, the darling of Issan, and the icecream gang to put it into the too hard basket and go shopping.

[Ulic]

Nice, the Election Commission recommends suspending the constitution because it goes against there regulations

to extend the registration. Very clear the EC in not a neutral party.

[SheungWan]

Nice, the Election Commission recommends suspending the constitution because it goes against there regulations

to extend the registration. Very clear the EC in not a neutral party.

As opposed to a pro-Thaksin 'neutral' party you mean?

[hellodolly]

I believe the government has failed badly. If it is written in the constitution that the election time can not be extended or the registration time not be extended it would be up to the government to see that these things are done.

The problem is I believe the constitution does make provisions to get around those fixed dates. No matter how many TV posters shout it is unconstitutional. the EC suggested it and the PTP said no. Neither one came forth with all the section in the constitution just a part of it that suited their purposes. I believe where the EC had at one time extended the voting time.

In my opinion people don't care what is rite or wrong all they care about is what the constitution says. If it allows people to block the registrations enough to not have an election it is proof positive that it needs reform. If it allows room for debate om the extension of time it is wrong. It should have definite guide lines.

The right thing to do even if it is unconstitutional is provide guards to the candidates and move the registrations into secure areas. An election that all who qualify for but are physically restrained from is not Democracy.

Both sides need to rethink their actions.

[Puccini]

The Election Commission has rejected a proposal that the registration of constituency candidacy should be extended by a few more days because it is against the election regulation and may affect the election process.

Is this the same election regulation that does not allow postponement of the elections scheduled for February 2, as claimed by some people?