EC: New election could be held in next three months

[Lite Beer]

EC: New election could be held in next three months

BANGKOK, 23 March 2014 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) believes the new general election will be held in the next three months after the Constitutional Court ruled to have Feb 2 election annulled.

According to EC Chairman Supachai Somcharoen, it will take at least 3 months before the new poll can be organized; however, if violence occurs, the EC will discuss with the government whether it should press ahead with the polling as safety of civilians should be the main priority.

Mr. Supachai also declined to comment on the allegation that the EC should take responsibility for its failure to proceed with the election in 28 problematic constituencies in the South where there were no candidates, elaborating that the problem was caused by an uncontrollable factor by the outsiders.

His comment came after the Charter Court had ruled six to three to nullify the Feb 2 election.

He lastly expressed his wish that the political crisis would be a blessing in disguise and that the government and the People’s Democratic Reform Committee settle political differences in a peaceful manner.

-- NNT 2014-03-23

[Gweiloman]

"According to EC Chairman Supachai Somcharoen, it will take at least 3 months before the new poll can be organized"

I don't understand why it takes at least 3 months to organise new polls when the (now defunct) constitution states that polls have to be held no later than 60 days from dissolution of parliament.

"He lastly expressed his wish that the political crisis would be a blessing in disguise and that the government and the People’s Democratic Reform Committee settle political differences in a peaceful manner"

Herein lies one of the roots of the problem. The EC Chairman thinks that the PDRC is a political party and not just a gathering of some disgruntled people.

[Scamper]

The EC at this point is really the only one talking about a new election. Pheu Thai certainly isn't talking about one. They refuse - yet again - to work with the EC towards that end. In fact, they've called on the whole EC to resign, and pay 3.8 billion baht for an election the EC - in its constitutional capacity - advised against. Pheu Thai has also decided to argue the Constitutional Court's ruling, and claims the independent agencies are part of a conspiracy against them. So for those who bemoan the fact that an election might be a few months away, don't look to Pheu Thai for any quicker path. They intend to spend all that time ranting and raving, and trying to undermine the authority of the independent agencies and the judicial system.

[crapper3]

We are now in a complete constitutional vacuum that no longer has any holding on the next election.

All minimum dates have been exceeded.

The new elections may well be quite a way off.

The PTP have realized with their miserable 8 million votes and yet even more popularity lost since Feb 2... that they don't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting a mandate. They are going to be far more comfortable with electoral vacuum and a caretaker status. While they run around patching holes and burning evidence of their massive embezzlement.

It all now rests on the NACC and the constitutional courts to get rid of this obstacle called the Thaksin regime so that the country can hold electoral reforms and start a new election.

They have enough ammo in hand... They should totally ignore the red terrorist threats from the UDD and just let the army deal with them, and get on with the task at hand.

Dems will stroll a new election as long as it is free and fair and with no interference from Dubai. But rules can be put in place to prevent that.

[bigbamboo]

I don't think anyone really knows what the hell is going on any more.

It's almost like someone has to throw a six to get the game started again.

[Thailand]

Plenty of time to round up Suthep and his henchpersons.

Prosecute a few of them for their illegal activities related to the recent disrupted election,lock them up if found guilty to make others think before they get involved again.

Time for the Dems to come up with,and "sell'"their manifesto to the populace. Perhaps even a new leader as Abhisit is pass sell by date.

Plenty of time for PTP to come up with candidates that are unlikely to be prosecuted for this that and the other, at least for the time being.

3 months to a fairly level playing field and then let the people decide for themselves.

[BlueNoseCodger]

The Constitution *requires* it be 60 days. So already the EC are saying they won't run a Constitutional election.

[HonestQuietBob]

The EC at this point is really the only one talking about a new election. Pheu Thai certainly isn't talking about one. They refuse - yet again - to work with the EC towards that end. In fact, they've called on the whole EC to resign, and pay 3.8 billion baht for an election the EC - in its constitutional capacity - advised against. Pheu Thai has also decided to argue the Constitutional Court's ruling, and claims the independent agencies are part of a conspiracy against them. So for those who bemoan the fact that an election might be a few months away, don't look to Pheu Thai for any quicker path. They intend to spend all that time ranting and raving, and trying to undermine the authority of the independent agencies and the judicial system.

What are you talking about?

Pheu Thai want a new election ASAP.

No later than May.

The current EC are no longer relevant.

Yingluck will shortly be impeached, the Reds will rise up and end the nonsense and democracy will be returned to Thailand.

With any luck the Reds will hold a referendum to return to the 1997 constitution, the people will support it and the anti-democrats will effectively be dead and burried.

At least this post of yours was relatively short.

[h90]

The EC at this point is really the only one talking about a new election. Pheu Thai certainly isn't talking about one. They refuse - yet again - to work with the EC towards that end. In fact, they've called on the whole EC to resign, and pay 3.8 billion baht for an election the EC - in its constitutional capacity - advised against. Pheu Thai has also decided to argue the Constitutional Court's ruling, and claims the independent agencies are part of a conspiracy against them. So for those who bemoan the fact that an election might be a few months away, don't look to Pheu Thai for any quicker path. They intend to spend all that time ranting and raving, and trying to undermine the authority of the independent agencies and the judicial system.

What are you talking about?

Pheu Thai want a new election ASAP.

No later than May.

The current EC are no longer relevant.

Yingluck will shortly be impeached, the Reds will rise up and end the nonsense and democracy will be returned to Thailand.

With any luck the Reds will hold a referendum to return to the 1997 constitution, the people will support it and the anti-democrats will effectively be dead and burried.

At least this post of yours was relatively short.

What does the reds have to do with democracy? I thought they fight for their dear leader in Dubai.

[bulekee]

Questin ? Why does Thailand copy everything from parliament, UK,. laws from where ever,ceremonial,i.e army etc.Yet when push comes to shove they fall by the wayside.Could it be it looks good.Just curious,not trolling.

[ChrisY1]

We are now in a complete constitutional vacuum that no longer has any holding on the next election.

All minimum dates have been exceeded.

The new elections may well be quite a way off.

The PTP have realized with their miserable 8 million votes and yet even more popularity lost since Feb 2... that they don't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting a mandate. They are going to be far more comfortable with electoral vacuum and a caretaker status. While they run around patching holes and burning evidence of their massive embezzlement.

It all now rests on the NACC and the constitutional courts to get rid of this obstacle called the Thaksin regime so that the country can hold electoral reforms and start a new election.

They have enough ammo in hand... They should totally ignore the red terrorist threats from the UDD and just let the army deal with them, and get on with the task at hand.

Dems will stroll a new election as long as it is free and fair and with no interference from Dubai. But rules can be put in place to prevent that.

How about the serial killers (DEMS)? why not just ban them as they are murderers . They are also more corrupt than Mr T. Sorry Mr Crap** waffler but nobody is fooled by your want to grab power for the undemocratic mob serial killer party & the one that is the fruitcake serial killer.

What is the task at hand ? Maybe some kidnapping murder down at LUMP-em-in the river Park ? Dems will stroll a new election hahahahahaha from a fruitcake supporter .

currant bun

Commie Joe.....perhaps you should go and make friends with Thida....and her husband of course.....!!

Chiang Mai's nice this time of year!

[BlueNoseCodger]

The Constitution *requires* it be 60 days. So already the EC are saying they won't run a Constitutional election.

You don't know a lot do you?

60 days after house dissolution to be quite clear, that expired some time ago.

This new election is totally expired already concerning the constitution. So I suggest you stop spouting stupid quotes from it.

Technically. no new election can be constitutional because the house was dissolved by stupid Yingluck and a snap election was declared and forced to go ahead even if the result was failure.... by stupid Yingluck.

Now the process is 100% up to the EC and the constitutional courts to decide how to proceed. The government have no say in the matter anymore.

No, there is no law outside the Constitution, and no basis for EC to timetable outside the 60 day limit. EC is in contempt at this point and futher attempts to delay simply compound the contempt.

If EC demands a fresh dissolution decree, EC do not have a legal basis for issuing a dissolution decree themselves, the CC did not give them that right, the Constitution does not either.

There is one an only one legal way, section 108.

Section 108. The King has the prerogative to dissolve the House of Representatives for a new election of members of the House.

If he decides to take that perogative, then the EC has a duty to deliver those elections within 60 days, no games, no messing around. Yet here they are saying 3 months or more even though its not up to them.

[Pib]

I'm sure the EC is consulting with several psychics for the most auspicious date.

[HonestQuietBob]

The EC at this point is really the only one talking about a new election. Pheu Thai certainly isn't talking about one. They refuse - yet again - to work with the EC towards that end. In fact, they've called on the whole EC to resign, and pay 3.8 billion baht for an election the EC - in its constitutional capacity - advised against. Pheu Thai has also decided to argue the Constitutional Court's ruling, and claims the independent agencies are part of a conspiracy against them. So for those who bemoan the fact that an election might be a few months away, don't look to Pheu Thai for any quicker path. They intend to spend all that time ranting and raving, and trying to undermine the authority of the independent agencies and the judicial system.

What are you talking about?

Pheu Thai want a new election ASAP.

No later than May.

The current EC are no longer relevant.

Yingluck will shortly be impeached, the Reds will rise up and end the nonsense and democracy will be returned to Thailand.

With any luck the Reds will hold a referendum to return to the 1997 constitution, the people will support it and the anti-democrats will effectively be dead and burried.

At least this post of yours was relatively short.

What does the reds have to do with democracy? I thought they fight for their dear leader in Dubai.

What do the reds have to do with Democracy?

6 times reigning champs baby….

[Dogmatix]

Prognosis for new elections called now. The opposition would try its damnedest to prevent candidate registration in more than 25 constituencies in the South again. If that happens, the elections won't proceed again. No need to do anything in Bkk. They can just concentrate their forces in the South where they have the support of the population and the red shirts don't dare operate in any strength. If they fail to disrupt elections and a new PT government is formed without the Dems in opposition, any unpopular legislation will be opposed on the streets and there will constant calls for reform. Yingluck will probably have to flee to Dubai soon, so there will be either an even more hated Shin family figure like Daeng or Suraphong as PM, or some one like Pongthep who Thaksin thinks is more acceptable to the public but isn't really and T will be reluctant to do this anyway because he doesn't trust anyone outside the family.

[ginjag]

One poster said the reds 6 times champs, BUT a record 6 times thrown out ?????

Edited March 23, 2014 by ginjag

[metisdead]

Inflammatory posts and replies have been removed.

[Thai at Heart]

Questin ? Why does Thailand copy everything from parliament, UK,. laws from where ever,ceremonial,i.e army etc.Yet when push comes to shove they fall by the wayside.Could it be it looks good.Just curious,not trolling.

Because they like the idea of saying to everyone that their system is like the UK or wherever. They just don't understand that to have a system like that takes work and effort and principle.

[Thai at Heart]

The Constitution *requires* it be 60 days. So already the EC are saying they won't run a Constitutional election.

You don't know a lot do you?

60 days after house dissolution to be quite clear, that expired some time ago.

This new election is totally expired already concerning the constitution. So I suggest you stop spouting stupid quotes from it.

Technically. no new election can be constitutional because the house was dissolved by stupid Yingluck and a snap election was declared and forced to go ahead even if the result was failure.... by stupid Yingluck.

Now the process is 100% up to the EC and the constitutional courts to decide how to proceed. The government have no say in the matter anymore.

No, there is no law outside the Constitution, and no basis for EC to timetable outside the 60 day limit. EC is in contempt at this point and futher attempts to delay simply compound the contempt.

If EC demands a fresh dissolution decree, EC do not have a legal basis for issuing a dissolution decree themselves, the CC did not give them that right, the Constitution does not either.

There is one an only one legal way, section 108.

Section 108. The King has the prerogative to dissolve the House of Representatives for a new election of members of the House.

If he decides to take that perogative, then the EC has a duty to deliver those elections within 60 days, no games, no messing around. Yet here they are saying 3 months or more even though its not up to them.

Indeed, they are just making it up as they are going along to avoid holding another election

The only hope was to maintain the partial result from the previous voting and to hold subsequent elections. TheCC is busy putting the country into constitutional deadlock.

They really need some general statements on the constitution to guide the CC. I.e. the court should always attempt to fond a democratic resolution through elections. It should not make a decision the results in creating a less democratic outcome.

[ginjag]

Plenty of time to round up Suthep and his henchpersons.

Prosecute a few of them for their illegal activities related to the recent disrupted election,lock them up if found guilty to make others think before they get involved again.

Time for the Dems to come up with,and "sell'"their manifesto to the populace. Perhaps even a new leader as Abhisit is pass sell by date.

Plenty of time for PTP to come up with candidates that are unlikely to be prosecuted for this that and the other, at least for the time being.

3 months to a fairly level playing field and then let the people decide for themselves.

4th sentence, who then after your statement would you think will be prosecuted, ???

First 2 sentences are about Suthep and his ######

Did you forget in your idea list, Yingluck and her cabinet ???

Also Red leaders the pure as snow lot.

Had you been honest and included ALL I would have agreed with your post.

[noitom]

Yingluck has won the election, the EC says the election is nullified because 20% or so of the voting base had difficulty getting to the polls. That's a problem for the Thai army. The Thai army is to secure everyone's right to vote by guarding polls if necessary.

When/if there is another election Phue Thai will win, Yingluck or another Thaksin designee will be elected. The system will not change. Reformdesignated by any handpicked insiders will go down as picking a fight with the majority. Thailand is at the threshold. The people should demand three or fur candidates with "clean" bios and they should design and campaign their party's platform for a few months. Once the platform of designated nominees is firmed up then the nation should choose a candidate based on their reform platform and recommended checks and balances.

The army has to fall into line with the people and not side up with petty insider politicians pushing their establishment agenda. The Thai people will win out. The fat lady is singing.

[Deez]

The EC at this point is really the only one talking about a new election. Pheu Thai certainly isn't talking about one. They refuse - yet again - to work with the EC towards that end. In fact, they've called on the whole EC to resign, and pay 3.8 billion baht for an election the EC - in its constitutional capacity - advised against. Pheu Thai has also decided to argue the Constitutional Court's ruling, and claims the independent agencies are part of a conspiracy against them. So for those who bemoan the fact that an election might be a few months away, don't look to Pheu Thai for any quicker path. They intend to spend all that time ranting and raving, and trying to undermine the authority of the independent agencies and the judicial system.

What are you talking about?

Pheu Thai want a new election ASAP.

No later than May.

The current EC are no longer relevant.

Yingluck will shortly be impeached, the Reds will rise up and end the nonsense and democracy will be returned to Thailand.

With any luck the Reds will hold a referendum to return to the 1997 constitution, the people will support it and the anti-democrats will effectively be dead and burried.

At least this post of yours was relatively short.

What does the reds have to do with democracy? I thought they fight for their dear leader in Dubai.

What do the reds have to do with Democracy?

6 times reigning champs baby….

Same as your man in North Korea. Quite a democratic battle

[Crushdepth]

One poster said the reds 6 times champs, BUT a record 6 times thrown out ?????

Including twice for electoral fraud and once for getting a little bit too...authoritarian. Champions of democracy, yep, right.

[gabruce]

The Constitution *requires* it be 60 days. So already the EC are saying they won't run a Constitutional election.

You don't know a lot do you?

60 days after house dissolution to be quite clear, that expired some time ago.

This new election is totally expired already concerning the constitution. So I suggest you stop spouting stupid quotes from it.

Technically. no new election can be constitutional because the house was dissolved by stupid Yingluck and a snap election was declared and forced to go ahead even if the result was failure.... by stupid Yingluck.

Now the process is 100% up to the EC and the constitutional courts to decide how to proceed. The government have no say in the matter anymore.

No, there is no law outside the Constitution, and no basis for EC to timetable outside the 60 day limit. EC is in contempt at this point and futher attempts to delay simply compound the contempt.

If EC demands a fresh dissolution decree, EC do not have a legal basis for issuing a dissolution decree themselves, the CC did not give them that right, the Constitution does not either.

There is one an only one legal way, section 108.

Section 108. The King has the prerogative to dissolve the House of Representatives for a new election of members of the House.

If he decides to take that perogative, then the EC has a duty to deliver those elections within 60 days, no games, no messing around. Yet here they are saying 3 months or more even though its not up to them.

One tricky bit is that the House is already dissolved, so can you dissolve something that doesn't currently exist? It's not clear to me what is the legal way through the current morass. There are also a lot of other clauses in the constitution and they all need to be taken into account. I THINK that at the end of the day this current situation is NOT clearly covered.