Thai govt pressures EC on new election decree

[webfact]

Govt pressures EC on new election decree

BANGKOK, 2 April 2014 (NNT) – The government has added to mounting pressure on the Election Commission (EC) to schedule a new general election following the Charter Court’s decision to nullify the Feb 2 election result.

EC Chairman Supachai Somcharoen has revealed that the EC is convening a meeting with military top brass on April 8th to discuss the possibility of a general election.

The move comes after the Constitutional Court voted 6 to 3 to annul the February 2nd general election, reasoning that it was unconstitutional as the poll wasn't held on one single day, as required under Section 108 of the Constitution.

In the meantime, Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana has asked that the Office of the Council of State interpret the Charter Court ruling, as well as look into the possibility of a new election. He added that only the EC has the power to issue a new election decree.

Meanwhile, the PM's Secretary General Suranand Vejjajiva, also says that the EC is the only authority that can decide the exact date of an election, while expressing the belief that the government would be willing to assist with whatever was needed.


-- NNT 2014-04-02

[WoopyDoo]

Th government won't even be in power by next week.

So I really don't know why they are concerned about it.

They will also be banned from running in the next election.

Get used to the idea.

Edited April 2, 2014 by WoopyDoo

[huanga]

In the meantime, Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana has asked that the Office of the Council of State interpret the Charter Court ruling, as well as look into the possibility of a new election. He added that only the EC has the power to issue a new election decree.

Meanwhile, the PM's Secretary General Suranand Vejjajiva, also says that the EC is the only authority that can decide the exact date of an election, while expressing the belief that the government would be willing to assist with whatever was needed.

My reply to this would be will the government really sit still until EC make up their mind on the election date? Or, (the more likely scenario) paying us the lip service now by saying the right thing, but come tomorrow, a strong rhetoric will come out (via Nopparit et al) to force EC to set up the election by next week, saying this is the voice of Thai people?

Wait and see!

[rubl]

"Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana added that only the EC has the power to issue a new election decree."

I thought that it was the (caretaking) government which had to issue a Royal Decree, after which the EC will set a new election date ?

[Thailand]

"EC Chairman Supachai Somcharoen has revealed that the EC is convening a meeting with military top brass on April 8th to discuss the possibility of a general election."

[Scamper]

Pheu Thai's narrative all along has been that the EC has the sole authority in setting a date for an election, but that's simply not true. ( It hasn't, of course stopped a flood of Pheu Thai supporters to start chiming in with that same belief, so the PT narrative has clearly worked wonders on them already. ) But the facts just keep getting in the way. The EC's involvement in December began with two actions from the prime minister. She dissolved parliament. Did the EC dissolve parliament ? No, she did. Why ? Because she was prime minister. She then sought a decree and obtained one. Did the EC do that ? No, she did. Why ? Because she was prime minister. At this point the constitutional clock was activated - there must be a general election between 45 and 60 days. This is the cue for the EC to step in. At that point, they control how the election is handled, and they hold the final word on that. Did that happen ? No, because Pheu Thai kept unilaterally making decisions regarding the election without the sanction of the EC, like the arbitrary moving of registration locations. Meanwhile on two specific occasions, The Constitutional Court said that the EC and administration must " work together ". Did that happen ? No, because Pheu Thai steadfastly refused to talk to the EC except through the media - a practice they continue to this very day. Finally, the EC had to approach the Constitutional Court again, and asked them to clarify if a new decree was needed for the eight provinces that did not take part in the February 2 election. However, as the Constitutional Court nullified the election, that and other questions posed by the EC were considered inapplicable.

[webfact]

Political groups urge early general election
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Apr 2 - Representatives of 53 Thai political parties today called on the country's Election Commission (EC) to quickly hold a general election after the Feb 2 nationwide poll was invalidated by the Constitution Court.

Suratin Picharn, leader of the New Democracy Party, and representatives from smaller political parties, petitioned the elections body for an urgently organised election in 45-60 days as ruled by the Constitution Court and said the EC should return registration fees to candidates in the Feb 2 nullified general election.

He asked the EC to find a responsible agency to repay the Bt3.8 billion spending in the Feb 2 election.

He said the elections agency should invite 73 existing political parties to discuss and set a new balloting date, instead of waiting until its original April 22 schedule.

He said two rival factions - the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee and the pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship - should be invited to the meeting. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-04-02

[WoopyDoo]

Great idea!

Force another snap election and end up back at square one, and they claim it is to make the country move forwards..... lol

Let's wait a week, because those people may be looking at another government very soon indeed.

Or even a civil war.

[dwcrist]

Yes. Hold elections again soon. The Thai people want and deserve that. But this time have the army and police provide security for all voting venues. And anyone who attempts to interfere with or disrupt the people's right to vote should be arrested and prosecuted. Otherwise, there is no point in holding another election, if you can't complete it.

[ramrod711]

Suratin Picharn, leader of the New Democracy Party, and representatives from smaller political parties, petitioned the elections body for an urgently organised election in 45-60 days as ruled by the Constitution Court and said the EC should return registration fees to candidates in the Feb 2 nullified general election.

I don't think that an election within 60 days will guarantee that the amnesty bill can't be voted on again. I may be wrong, and often am, but I don't trust the government not to do it.

[seajae]

until such time that the reasons for the downfall of the ptp govt are sorted out there is no sense holding an election or we will just go back to square 1. The corruption needs to be stopped dead in its tracks, the rice scheme and those who ripped off the farmers/people needs to be sorted out plus all the other shonky policies that the ptp instituted to pocket the money need to be fixed. Until this country has all the dead wood of the ptp removed nothing can eventuate or we will all fall back in the same hole.

[tezzainoz]

Th government won't even be in power by next week.

So I really don't know why they are concerned about it.

They will also be banned from running in the next election.

Get used to the idea.

you need to understand PTP Logic, there is no Logic

youst an excuse to blame others for there mistake

Once an election has been called they can claim they where thrown of out Government as they had a constitutional election called and where denied the vote of the people and the people Denided the right to Vote

One they are kicked out for criminal crimes against the costitutuion and no coup. they must accept responsibilty for where past

Do you really think that this loss of face is what they want

[Baerboxer]

When the new election takes place, wonder if YL will manage to put the ballot papers in the right boxes this time?

Must be a very confusing system if a successful billionaire business woman with a Masters Degree from the US and current caretaker PM/DM screws it up. What chance have ordinary poor people got.

Maybe they do need to reform the system if its that confusing!

[rickirs]

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"Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana added that only the EC has the power to issue a new election decree."

I thought that it was the (caretaking) government which had to issue a Royal Decree, after which the EC will set a new election date ?

No. This was already taken to the Court by the EC last year and the court ruled that no decree was required but the EC and Government had to agree to the election date. They subsequently agreed to Feb. 2, 2014 as the new election date. Now the EC is pullin the same stall tactic again.

[dinooz]

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"Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana added that only the EC has the power to issue a new election decree."

I thought that it was the (caretaking) government which had to issue a Royal Decree, after which the EC will set a new election date ?

No. This was already taken to the Court by the EC last year and the court ruled that no decree was required but the EC and Government had to agree to the election date. They subsequently agreed to Feb. 2, 2014 as the new election date. Now the EC is pullin the same stall tactic again.

I don't think they both agreed at all,the EC wanted to postpone the election until such time it would run smoothly,The PTP went alone on the feb 2 date please stop posting blatant lies.

[rubl]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

"Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana added that only the EC has the power to issue a new election decree."

I thought that it was the (caretaking) government which had to issue a Royal Decree, after which the EC will set a new election date ?

No. This was already taken to the Court by the EC last year and the court ruled that no decree was required but the EC and Government had to agree to the election date. They subsequently agreed to Feb. 2, 2014 as the new election date. Now the EC is pullin the same stall tactic again.

Actually we had on 2014-01-24

"The Court also clarified that the government and the Election Commission (EC) have the joint authority to postpone the election, namely by issuing a Royal Decree.

It advises the government and the EC to discuss the matter."

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699136-2-february-election-can-be-postponed-constitutional-court-rules-thailand/

with Ms. Yingluck thanking the court for the ruling, said she would talk to the EC, had a talk, started a small discussion group with the right people, had them advise her to go ahead with the election, she saying "people told me to go ahead", a bit more obfuscation and delay and then somehow suddenly it was already February 2nd.