Voting cancelled in 42 districts nationwide

[Lite Beer]

Voting cancelled in 42 districts nationwide
By English News

BANGKOK, Feb 2 - Voting has been cancelled in 42 districts in several regions of the country due to disruptions by anti-government protesters of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Election Commissioner Pushong Nutrawong said 42 out of 333 districts nationwide were unable to open polling booths today, mainly in the South, Central and the East regions.

However, he noted that there were no disruptions at any poll stations in the Northeast and the North.

In the capital where there are 6,671 poll stations, 438 units in Ratchathewi, Din Daeng and Laksi districts could not open for the public to cast ballots as they were blocked by anti-government protesters, while in Bung Kum and Bangkapi districts, local election commissioners failed to turn up to pick up ballot boxes and ballots.

Mr Pushong said he has been informed that Khok Pho district chief in the restive southern border province of Pattani was killed this morning in shooting and bomb attack. The district chief was also the director of district elections.

Permanent Secretary for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Ninnart Chalitanon said that there will be no vote counting in Bangkok, as the poll agency prohibits the announcement of election results at the poll stations when voting can not be completed in all districts.

Only the voter turnout number and number of those who failed to cast ballots today will be revealed, according to the BMA permanent-secretary.

Ms Ninnart added she has instructed staff at all poll stations to be wary of their safety and that of the public. The EC has given authority to local staff to consider closing the poll units to avoid any clashes and casualties.

As of now, she said, the overall situation is under control, while a new election date will be later set for poll stations which could not be opened today.

Meanwhile, elections were called off in six southern provinces including Phatthalung, Songkhla, Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi and Satun as the protesters blocked the delivery of voting ballots from post offices in the region.

Ballots and ballot boxes could not be delivered to every Phatthalung polling units. The provincial election commissioners have filed police complaints against 12 anti-government protesters for obstructing the election.

A similar situation was seen in nearby Songkhla where the PDRC protesters blocked the Hat Yai post office since last week where ballots have been stored awaiting distribution. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-02-02

[Thailand]

"Only the voter turnout number and number of those who failed to cast ballots today will be revealed, according to the BMA permanent-secretary.

Ms Ninnart added she has instructed staff at all poll stations to be wary of their safety and that of the public. The EC has given authority to local staff to consider closing the poll units to avoid any clashes and casualties.

As of now, she said, the overall situation is under control, while a new election date will be later set for poll stations which could not be opened today"

By which time Suthep and his cohorts should be off the streets as the push for "peoples council" appears to be a massive fail, and he has lied yet again about not blocking polling stations.

Time he was placed somewhere where he can do no more harm to Thailand and it's people.

[noitom]

Shame on Thailand. They look preposterous. Who would ever do business with Thailand seeing how this place is run?

[Costas2008]

As of now, she said, the overall situation is under control, while a new election date will be later set for poll stations which could not be opened today.

I wonder, how many more new election dates will be set?

The message is not sinking in this government thick heads.

[LomSak27]

Well this is the only thing PDRC can do, try and disrupt the election because of course they are not the majority and ould be stomped in a fair and free election

[ramrod711]

"Only the voter turnout number and number of those who failed to cast ballots today will be revealed, according to the BMA permanent-secretary.

Ms Ninnart added she has instructed staff at all poll stations to be wary of their safety and that of the public. The EC has given authority to local staff to consider closing the poll units to avoid any clashes and casualties.

As of now, she said, the overall situation is under control, while a new election date will be later set for poll stations which could not be opened today"

By which time Suthep and his cohorts should be off the streets as the push for "peoples council" appears to be a massive fail, and he has lied yet again about not blocking polling stations.

Time he was placed somewhere where he can do no more harm to Thailand and it's people.

Dubai seems like the place most corrupt politicians prefer.

[Bonno1971]

Thugs not allowing a fellow countryman to vote. Time for the police and army to stop this lawless behaviour.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[BillyBobThai]

Children at play with the new board game DEMOCRACY

Suthep to Yingluck - no,no,no it is my turn now. Your roll of the dice did not turn out so well.

[geriatrickid]

As of now, she said, the overall situation is under control, while a new election date will be later set for poll stations which could not be opened today.

I wonder, how many more new election dates will be set?

The message is not sinking in this government thick heads.

How about you look at the Thai statement. The translation is incorrect, much as it was for Abhisit's Unconstitutional statement.

Her statement was in respect to alternative dates for participation in THIS election, not a new election date.

[djjamie]

"Only the voter turnout number and number of those who failed to cast ballots today will be revealed, according to the BMA permanent-secretary.

Ms Ninnart added she has instructed staff at all poll stations to be wary of their safety and that of the public. The EC has given authority to local staff to consider closing the poll units to avoid any clashes and casualties.

As of now, she said, the overall situation is under control, while a new election date will be later set for poll stations which could not be opened today"

By which time Suthep and his cohorts should be off the streets as the push for "peoples council" appears to be a massive fail, and he has lied yet again about not blocking polling stations.

Time he was placed somewhere where he can do no more harm to Thailand and it's people.

Well Dubia is not the place then.

Even over there Thaksin is still capable of doing harm to Thailand and its people.

[Patje]

Voting cancelled in 42 districts nationwide....

Now what oh almighty leader of the protesters ?

Have you any other plans ?

Call the Vatican to start the procedure for being declared holy(shit) .....

[marko kok prong]

"Only the voter turnout number and number of those who failed to cast ballots today will be revealed, according to the BMA permanent-secretary.

Ms Ninnart added she has instructed staff at all poll stations to be wary of their safety and that of the public. The EC has given authority to local staff to consider closing the poll units to avoid any clashes and casualties.

As of now, she said, the overall situation is under control, while a new election date will be later set for poll stations which could not be opened today"

By which time Suthep and his cohorts should be off the streets as the push for "peoples council" appears to be a massive fail, and he has lied yet again about not blocking polling stations.

Time he was placed somewhere where he can do no more harm to Thailand and it's people.

Well Dubia is not the place then.

Even over there Thaksin is still capable of doing harm to Thailand and its people.

where is Dubia?

[Thailand]

As of now, she said, the overall situation is under control, while a new election date will be later set for poll stations which could not be opened today.

I wonder, how many more new election dates will be set?

The message is not sinking in this government thick heads.

1

[Somtamnication]

The EC has no choice but to invalidate the election because of the poll situation. Here in Phuket, the yellows closed a police station and ordered all the cops out! No voting there either! Hilarious!!!

[n1ckmg]

As of now, she said, the overall situation is under control, while a new election date will be later set for poll stations which could not be opened today.

I wonder, how many more new election dates will be set?

The message is not sinking in this government thick heads.

"new election date will be later set for poll stations which could not be opened today "

This does not mean new elections ! Just delayed voting for those polling stations that have been subject to illegal blockading and harrassment of people wishing to exercise there democratic right to vote ! When will it get into the thick heads of the PDRC that they are a minority that will not succeed !

[uty6543]

"Only the voter turnout number and number of those who failed to cast ballots today will be revealed, according to the BMA permanent-secretary.

Ms Ninnart added she has instructed staff at all poll stations to be wary of their safety and that of the public. The EC has given authority to local staff to consider closing the poll units to avoid any clashes and casualties.

As of now, she said, the overall situation is under control, while a new election date will be later set for poll stations which could not be opened today"

By which time Suthep and his cohorts should be off the streets as the push for "peoples council" appears to be a massive fail, and he has lied yet again about not blocking polling stations.

Time he was placed somewhere where he can do no more harm to Thailand and it's people.

Dubai seems like the place most corrupt politicians prefer.

Even from Dubai there is one ex-politician who has caused more damage to Thailand than the rest of them put together, but there are some that cannot see that.

[Scamper]

The day is proceeding with no clashes between protesters and police thus far. The effectiveness of the vote today will be quite predictable, with the country evenly divided down the middle between functional and dysfunction.

Edited February 2, 2014 by Scamper

[millwall_fan]

The EC has no choice but to invalidate the election because of the poll situation. Here in Phuket, the yellows closed a police station and ordered all the cops out! No voting there either! Hilarious!!!

wishful thinking on your part, i suspect. Polling proceeded in 333 of 375 constituencies according to Richard Barrow. BTW the figures in the OP must be incorrect surely: there are 375 constituencies nationwide or there must be many more polling districts than that. Polling couldn't be completed in 42 constituencies out of 375. Does that mean that no voting at all took place in 42 constituencies or just some districts? We need more facts here!

[djjamie]

"Only the voter turnout number and number of those who failed to cast ballots today will be revealed, according to the BMA permanent-secretary.

Ms Ninnart added she has instructed staff at all poll stations to be wary of their safety and that of the public. The EC has given authority to local staff to consider closing the poll units to avoid any clashes and casualties.

As of now, she said, the overall situation is under control, while a new election date will be later set for poll stations which could not be opened today"

By which time Suthep and his cohorts should be off the streets as the push for "peoples council" appears to be a massive fail, and he has lied yet again about not blocking polling stations.

Time he was placed somewhere where he can do no more harm to Thailand and it's people.

Well Dubia is not the place then.

Even over there Thaksin is still capable of doing harm to Thailand and its people.

where is Dubia?

Where the decisions of Thailand are made.

[love1012]

Shame on Thailand. They look preposterous. Who would ever do business with Thailand seeing how this place is run?

Good - if Thailand is so bad - those who dont need to stay should go home!! ..............and your master wont need to come back any more too!!

[ShannonT]

"Only the voter turnout number and number of those who failed to cast ballots today will be revealed, according to the BMA permanent-secretary.

Ms Ninnart added she has instructed staff at all poll stations to be wary of their safety and that of the public. The EC has given authority to local staff to consider closing the poll units to avoid any clashes and casualties.

As of now, she said, the overall situation is under control, while a new election date will be later set for poll stations which could not be opened today"

By which time Suthep and his cohorts should be off the streets as the push for "peoples council" appears to be a massive fail, and he has lied yet again about not blocking polling stations.

Time he was placed somewhere where he can do no more harm to Thailand and it's people.

Well Dubia is not the place then.

Even over there Thaksin is still capable of doing harm to Thailand and its people.

where is Dubia?

So sick of people bringing up George Dubia Bush into every topic...

[millwall_fan]

The day is proceeding with no clashes between protesters and police thus far. The effectiveness of the vote today will be quite predictable, with the country evenly divided down the middle between functional and dysfunction.

voting as normal = 333 constituencies

polls cancelled due to disruption = 42 constituencies (and we don't know yet if there was a complete shutdown)

Hardly split down the middle!

And the fact that there was no voting, should not be taken to mean that no-one in those 42 constituencies wanted to vote.

[bigbamboo]

"Only the voter turnout number and number of those who failed to cast ballots today will be revealed, according to the BMA permanent-secretary.

Ms Ninnart added she has instructed staff at all poll stations to be wary of their safety and that of the public. The EC has given authority to local staff to consider closing the poll units to avoid any clashes and casualties.

As of now, she said, the overall situation is under control, while a new election date will be later set for poll stations which could not be opened today"

By which time Suthep and his cohorts should be off the streets as the push for "peoples council" appears to be a massive fail, and he has lied yet again about not blocking polling stations.

Time he was placed somewhere where he can do no more harm to Thailand and it's people.

Well Dubia is not the place then.

Even over there Thaksin is still capable of doing harm to Thailand and its people.

where is Dubia?

So sick of people bringing up George Dubia Bush into every topic...

Stop it. Thai politics is silly enough as it is.

[Thaddeus]

I wonder, how many more new election dates will be set?

The message is not sinking in this government thick heads.

Einstein had a word definition for repeating the same action over and over, and expecting different results.

[Lingba]

Shame on Thailand. They look preposterous. Who would ever do business with Thailand seeing how this place is run?

I agree with you..why would anyone else in the rest of the civilized, financial and investment world even want to blink at showing an iota of a risk interest in this place anymore?...I wouldn't...This place is a comedy act out of vaudeville..Its an embarassment...If only those who were born and raised and live here had a clue at how stupid they have made this place look..then they would understand why the rest of us snicker at it all so much

[Jeremy50]

Shame on Thailand. They look preposterous. Who would ever do business with Thailand seeing how this place is run?

I agree with you..why would anyone else in the rest of the civilized, financial and investment world even want to blink at showing an iota of a risk interest in this place anymore?...I wouldn't...This place is a comedy act out of vaudeville..Its an embarassment...If only those who were born and raised and live here had a clue at how stupid they have made this place look..then they would understand why the rest of us snicker at it all so much

For those looking for a cheap place to live, it'll do. As for investing here, not in a million years.

[geriatrickid]

The EC has no choice but to invalidate the election because of the poll situation. Here in Phuket, the yellows closed a police station and ordered all the cops out! No voting there either! Hilarious!!!

Illegal activities by 3rd parties do not render a legal activity invalid.

[kurtgruen]

Well, I know my wife didn't vote, for the first time ever. She just had enough of the bulls*&t from both sides. Like me, she feels that both sides are crooks and just using the people like pawns.

[Thailand]

Well, I know my wife didn't vote, for the first time ever. She just had enough of the bulls*&t from both sides. Like me, she feels that both sides are crooks and just using the people like pawns.

There were alternative candidates?

And the old story, if you have the right to vote and do not use it you should not complain about the result?

[ShannonT]

Well, I know my wife didn't vote, for the first time ever. She just had enough of the bulls*&t from both sides. Like me, she feels that both sides are crooks and just using the people like pawns.

Looks like she won't vote in the next election either.

Som nam na.

Edited February 2, 2014 by ShannonT