Thai Government warned there may be no election if….

[webfact]

Government warned there may be no election if….



BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission has warned the government that the next election will be further delayed or may never be staged if the government fails to come up with an agreement with the commission on the election date and the issuance of a Royal decree.

Commissioner on electoral affairs Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said Sunday that the EC had summoned a meeting with 70 parties to send their representatives to a meeting on April 22 for discussion on political situation before the EC will decide to set the date for the fresh election.

He cited the government’s persistence to stage the February 2 election despite strong opposition from the EC that the poll could be disrupted. The Constitutional Court finally ruled the February 2 election unconstitutional on the ground that it was not held on the same day across the country, he said.

“But if this time, the government does not agree with the EC’s suggestion, the situation will be different – that is there will be no election unless a common agreement is reached,” said Mr Somchai.

The EC, he disclosed, is set to issue a new regulation about application of candidacy by allowing candidates to apply by mails for list MPs or by internet for constituency MPs in case they are blocked by protesters.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/government-warned-may-election/


-- Thai PBS 2014-04-14

[Costas2008]

Mr Somchai, please don't bother them now.

They are all resting, after the hard job they did for the past 3 years for this country.

Anyway, what elections are you referring too?

First reforms and then elections.

Do try to understand that.

[Tatsujin]

Another great statement from the EC to PT (Thaksin) . . . work WITH us or you will never even get close to having an election any time soon as we're the ones who run it and without our help and some compromise on PT's side of things, there will be NO elections.

[Local Drunk]

Mr Somchai, please don't bother them now.

They are all resting, after the hard job they did for the past 3 years for this country.

Anyway, what elections are you referring too?

First reforms and then elections.

Do try to understand that.

It won't happen...

[tomross46]

It is time for all good people to come to the aid of King and country. It is time to relinquish ties to political parties influential people and families. Think about your children and your children's children.

They will be the ones paying the taxes to cover the greed of politicians.

[geriatrickid]

Another great statement from the EC to PT (Thaksin) . . . work WITH us or you will never even get close to having an election any time soon as we're the ones who run it and without our help and some compromise on PT's side of things, there will be NO elections.

The EC is attempting to dictate the applicability of the law. Look at what the EC is saying; there will be no election.

The EC is not supposed to dictate whether or not there will be an election. It's job is carry out the election. Again this is the EC interfering and it is the EC who are derelict in their duty.

[MaxLee]

Mr Somchai, please don't bother them now.

They are all resting, after the hard job they did for the past 3 years for this country.

Anyway, what elections are you referring too?

First reforms and then elections.

Do try to understand that.

WRONG, don't bother the Pheu Thai goons now, or the redshirt mercenaries, might be knocking on the door to send them to holy heaven, those EC bunch of pathetic cowards...

.... it's really sad, that unruly elite of Pheu Thai is taking laws into their own hands... this insanity must stop...

Democratically elected,... don't give me that crap.... 80% of Thailand has been bought AND blackmailed to vote for the ThaksinDEMOcracy, making it impossible for a fair turnout.... so that's why Thaksin could practically win every election, no matter how many times parliament is dissolved and reset, playing that easy-peazy "Election-Collection" cat and mouse game 4EVER....

Election my ***BEHIND*** .... N'ough said....

[geriatrickid]

It is time for all good people to come to the aid of King and country. It is time to relinquish ties to political parties influential people and families. Think about your children and your children's children.

They will be the ones paying the taxes to cover the greed of politicians.

They would have to pay their fair share of taxes first.

[geriatrickid]

Mr Somchai, please don't bother them now.

They are all resting, after the hard job they did for the past 3 years for this country.

Anyway, what elections are you referring too?

First reforms and then elections.

Do try to understand that.

WRONG, don't bother the Pheu Thai goons now, or the redshirt mercenaries, might be knocking on the door to send them to holy heaven, those EC bunch of pathetic cowards...

.... it's really sad, that unruly elite of Pheu Thai is taking laws into their own hands... this insanity must stop...

Democratically elected,... don't give me that crap.... 80% of Thailand has been bought AND blackmailed to vote for the ThaksinDEMOcracy, making it impossible for a fair turnout.... so that's why Thaksin could practically win every election, no matter how many times parliament is dissolved and reset, playing that easy-peazy "Election-Collection" cat and mouse game 4EVER....

Election my ***BEHIND*** .... N'ough said....

The continued bleating of vote buying as the reason for the PTP election wins is tiresome. Maybe there is vote buying. However, it is not restricted to one political party. How do you think Suthep managed to deliver the south to the Democrat party over the years? In any case, it takes 2 parties to participate. Despite all the allegations of vote buying, there has been zero evidence to show that it actually benefits anyone.Votes are cast in secret and no matter how much money is given, that doesn't mean the vote for the party is assured.

The PTP is not taking the law into its own hands. It is asking the EC to respect the legally mandated time line for an election. It is the EC that is going beyond its scope of authority. The EC should just come right out and say it wants a change in government and intends to sabotage elections in Thailand until such time as it can guarantee the election of a group who will restore the old guard's place in Thailand.

[bigbamboo]

It is time for all good people to come to the aid of King and country. It is time to relinquish ties to political parties influential people and families. Think about your children and your children's children.

They will be the ones paying the taxes to cover the greed of politicians.

It's a nice thought but this IS Thailand.

[robblok]

Another great statement from the EC to PT (Thaksin) . . . work WITH us or you will never even get close to having an election any time soon as we're the ones who run it and without our help and some compromise on PT's side of things, there will be NO elections.

The EC is attempting to dictate the applicability of the law. Look at what the EC is saying; there will be no election.

The EC is not supposed to dictate whether or not there will be an election. It's job is carry out the election. Again this is the EC interfering and it is the EC who are derelict in their duty.

Kid.. i thought you were educated.. probably a bit redsighted that you cant read good anymore.

They are saying we need to come to agreement so we don't have the same problems as last time. So please listen to us and come to discuss things instead of dictating like last time. If you don't we might not be able to hold election.

Seems to me they are asking from cooperation from the government instead of being dictated of what to do.. last time they were bullied into it and look what happened.

I never knew that the reds were that fast with rewriting history, last time the EC said its not a good idea... government bullied them pushed them so they did.. result.. invalid election.

[Tatsujin]

Another great statement from the EC to PT (Thaksin) . . . work WITH us or you will never even get close to having an election any time soon as we're the ones who run it and without our help and some compromise on PT's side of things, there will be NO elections.

The EC is attempting to dictate the applicability of the law. Look at what the EC is saying; there will be no election.

The EC is not supposed to dictate whether or not there will be an election. It's job is carry out the election. Again this is the EC interfering and it is the EC who are derelict in their duty.

Ha ha, ok gk, if you say so.

I think the rest of us in the real world see the EC advising Thaksin on how to follow the law/constitution so that things are done correctly and legally rather than PT dictating to them how "they" want things to run regardless of the legalities.

[art vandelay]

It is time for all good people to come to the aid of King and country. It is time to relinquish ties to political parties influential people and families. Think about your children and your children's children.

They will be the ones paying the taxes to cover the greed of politicians.

... and in cloud cuckoo land everyone lived happily ever after...

[Scamper]

The Constitutional Court has on more than one occasion urged both the EC and the Phue Thai administration to work together. Why ? Because during the last four months Pheu Thai has refused to do so. How many news articles have been based on pleas by the EC to meet with Yingluck or Pheu Thai ? Too many to count. The EC is a constitutionally empowered agency. They are empowered to hold elections. But their duties go beyond that. They are empowered to give advice, to administer the electoral rules as they're set forth in the election laws, to follow the time-lines of same, and to make sure all these are implemented properly during the electoral period. After the election, they need to investigate allegations, and make conclusions based on those investigations. But every step of the way, Pheu Thai has decided to ignore the EC, and did instead the following -

- ignore the EC's suggestion that a February 2 election would be ill-advised, as there was no guarantee that the poll could take place without incident. ( They were right ).

- refusing to meet the EC time after time, preferring instead to tell them what to do to through the media.

- arrange a " forum " in order to over-rule an opinion of the EC !

- arbitrarily move registration venues against the EC's express wished not to.

- parachuting Pheu Thai candidates onto police stations which served as " make-shift candidate registration venues ".

- conducting all such candidate registrations outside the supervision of the EC.

- questioning the EC's authority in requesting a new decree for the eight provinces that did not vote on February 2, even as never before in the country's history had an election been spread out over two dates. Nonetheless, subsequently refusing to follow the EC's suggestion.

- questioning the EC's time-lines for candidate registrations, even though those are set forth in election law.

- even now, continuing to refuse to meet with the EC to arrange an election date, to discuss the dynamics of holding such an election, reviewing all the election rules upon which Pheu Thai must fully cooperate, and continuing to refuse to entertain the very legitimate request for a new election decree.

Edited April 14, 2014 by Scamper

[WoopyDoo]

Another great statement from the EC to PT (Thaksin) . . . work WITH us or you will never even get close to having an election any time soon as we're the ones who run it and without our help and some compromise on PT's side of things, there will be NO elections.

The EC is attempting to dictate the applicability of the law. Look at what the EC is saying; there will be no election.

The EC is not supposed to dictate whether or not there will be an election. It's job is carry out the election. Again this is the EC interfering and it is the EC who are derelict in their duty.

You are very wrong.

In this particular set of circumstances, it is up to the EC to arrange the next election.

They have the power to propose the caretaker government to ask the king for a royal decree. The caretaker government don't have unilateral power as caretakers to apply without the consent of the EC.

If they did have the power they would have set the date straight after the last one was annulled.

So just goes to show that your rant was totally uninformed....

[BlueNoseCodger]

The Constitutional Court has on more than one occasion urged both the EC and the Phue Thai administration to work together. Why ? Because during the last four months Pheu Thai has refused to do so. How many news articles have been based on pleas by the EC to meet with Yingluck or Pheu Thai ? Too many to count. The EC is a constitutionally empowered agency. They are empowered to hold elections. But their duties go beyond that. They are empowered to give advice, to administer the electoral rules as they're set forth in the election laws, to follow the time-lines of same, and to make sure all these are implemented properly during the electoral period. After the election, they need to investigate allegations, and make conclusions based on those investigations. But every step of the way, Pheu Thai has decided to ignore the EC, and did instead the following -

- ignore the EC's suggestion that a February 2 election would be ill-advised, as there was no guarantee that the poll could take place without incident. ( They were right ).

- refusing to meet the EC time after time, preferring instead to tell them what to do to through the media.

- arrange a " forum " in order to over-rule an opinion of the EC !

- arbitrarily move registration venues against the EC's express wished not to.

- parachuting Pheu Thai candidates onto police stations which served as " make-shift candidate registration venues ".

- conducting all such candidate registrations outside the supervision of the EC.

- questioning the EC's authority in requesting a new decree for the eight provinces that did not vote on February 2, even as never before in the country's history had an election been spread out over two dates. Nonetheless, subsequently refusing to follow the EC's suggestion.

- questioning the EC's time-lines for candidate registrations, even though those are set forth in election law.

- even now, continuing to refuse to meet with the EC to arrange an election date, to discuss the dynamics of holding such an election, reviewing all the election rules upon which Pheu Thai must fully cooperate, and continuing to refuse to entertain the very legitimate request for a new election decree.

The Feb 2nd date is the constitutional limit. Polling day went ahead without violence, popcorn gunmen were prior to elections.

Arranged a forum to discuss ways to help EC, EC declined all offers of help and ultimately failed to run an election.

Parachuting and other nonsense is simply false.

The EC's job is hold and run elections. At every stage they obstructed them. They refused help clearing protestors from registration sites, refused to move those sites, and ultimately the election was annulled because of their failure to register candidates.

EC refused police offers of help to realse the ballot papers, refused army offers to deliver ballots, refused to file a police complaint against PDRC for blocking polling stations.

The played politics. The rice bonds they said they didn't have authority to approve, then threatened to sue anyone who says they were blocking the rice bonds, then approved the rice bond....shortly after the government agreed to let them mediate with PDRC.

They are currently under a duty under 236/6 to hold fresh elections, yet they are in contempt of that. The house is dissolved, a second dissolution decree does not dissolve it twice. EC's limit for finishing all elections and by-elections is 180 days. They have shown not intention of complying with their legal duty.

Somchai was of course appointed in December.

Edited April 14, 2014 by BlueNoseCodger

[Seastallion]

Another great statement from the EC to PT (Thaksin) . . . work WITH us or you will never even get close to having an election any time soon as we're the ones who run it and without our help and some compromise on PT's side of things, there will be NO elections.

The EC is attempting to dictate the applicability of the law. Look at what the EC is saying; there will be no election.

The EC is not supposed to dictate whether or not there will be an election. It's job is carry out the election. Again this is the EC interfering and it is the EC who are derelict in their duty.

Spin and misdirection! EC is not saying there will be no election. They are saying there will be no election IF..... If. If. Get it?

Try to understand what that IF is.

Unless you do understand but believe the big "IF" will never happen? You believe PT will prevaricate and refuse to do what's right? You may be right. But that is not EC's fault.

Edited April 14, 2014 by Seastallion

[Thai at Heart]

Another great statement from the EC to PT (Thaksin) . . . work WITH us or you will never even get close to having an election any time soon as we're the ones who run it and without our help and some compromise on PT's side of things, there will be NO elections.

The EC is attempting to dictate the applicability of the law. Look at what the EC is saying; there will be no election.

The EC is not supposed to dictate whether or not there will be an election. It's job is carry out the election. Again this is the EC interfering and it is the EC who are derelict in their duty.

Kid.. i thought you were educated.. probably a bit redsighted that you cant read good anymore.

They are saying we need to come to agreement so we don't have the same problems as last time. So please listen to us and come to discuss things instead of dictating like last time. If you don't we might not be able to hold election.

Seems to me they are asking from cooperation from the government instead of being dictated of what to do.. last time they were bullied into it and look what happened.

I never knew that the reds were that fast with rewriting history, last time the EC said its not a good idea... government bullied them pushed them so they did.. result.. invalid election.

Well.if they are going to not have an election because anyone says there maybe disruption, then there will never be an election.

It is the ECs job to get in whatever protection and law enforcement it needs to get the job done, not to preemptively cancel because someone says they won't let it happen.

Essentially every one attempting to block the election should have been arrested. They were illegally blocking an election. So now, everyone needs a.powwow to agree a date.

What difference is that going to make if Suthep threatens to block it. The proven solution now when he threatens it will be to cancel. Great job.

The NON Election Commissions.

[tomhell]

I need your help.

When people talk about reforms before election. What does this mean?

Does anyone have knowledge about concrete reforms. (for example election law) ?

Who decides what reform has to happen?

Why the Election Commission has the power to delay or suspend an election ?

How is this Election Commission created. Who are the members of this commission ?

Thanks in advance for bringing light into my darkness.

Tom

[marstons]

Mr Somchai, please don't bother them now.

They are all resting, after the hard job they did for the past 3 years for this country.

Anyway, what elections are you referring too?

First reforms and then elections.

Do try to understand that.

WRONG, don't bother the Pheu Thai goons now, or the redshirt mercenaries, might be knocking on the door to send them to holy heaven, those EC bunch of pathetic cowards...

.... it's really sad, that unruly elite of Pheu Thai is taking laws into their own hands... this insanity must stop...

Democratically elected,... don't give me that crap.... 80% of Thailand has been bought AND blackmailed to vote for the ThaksinDEMOcracy, making it impossible for a fair turnout.... so that's why Thaksin could practically win every election, no matter how many times parliament is dissolved and reset, playing that easy-peazy "Election-Collection" cat and mouse game 4EVER....

Election my ***BEHIND*** .... N'ough said....

Do you have a source for the 80% bought and blackmailed statement. Surely you can back this up. Such a statement deserves a credible source.

[Tatsujin]

Another great statement from the EC to PT (Thaksin) . . . work WITH us or you will never even get close to having an election any time soon as we're the ones who run it and without our help and some compromise on PT's side of things, there will be NO elections.

The EC is attempting to dictate the applicability of the law. Look at what the EC is saying; there will be no election.

The EC is not supposed to dictate whether or not there will be an election. It's job is carry out the election. Again this is the EC interfering and it is the EC who are derelict in their duty.

Spin and misdirection! EC is not saying there will be no election. They are saying there will be no election IF..... If. If. Get it?

Try to understand what that IF is.

Unless you do understand but believe the big "IF" will never happen? You believe PT will prevaricate and refuse to do what's right? You may be right. But that is not EC's fault.

They are "IF" blind ( or incredibly stupid). They missed out all the "IFS" in Suthep's speech a week ago too. Kinda changes the tone of everything when you deliberately ignore things.

[Tatsujin]

Another great statement from the EC to PT (Thaksin) . . . work WITH us or you will never even get close to having an election any time soon as we're the ones who run it and without our help and some compromise on PT's side of things, there will be NO elections.

The EC is attempting to dictate the applicability of the law. Look at what the EC is saying; there will be no election.

The EC is not supposed to dictate whether or not there will be an election. It's job is carry out the election. Again this is the EC interfering and it is the EC who are derelict in their duty.

Kid.. i thought you were educated.. probably a bit redsighted that you cant read good anymore.

They are saying we need to come to agreement so we don't have the same problems as last time. So please listen to us and come to discuss things instead of dictating like last time. If you don't we might not be able to hold election.

Seems to me they are asking from cooperation from the government instead of being dictated of what to do.. last time they were bullied into it and look what happened.

I never knew that the reds were that fast with rewriting history, last time the EC said its not a good idea... government bullied them pushed them so they did.. result.. invalid election.

Well.if they are going to not have an election because anyone says there maybe disruption, then there will never be an election.

It is the ECs job to get in whatever protection and law enforcement it needs to get the job done, not to preemptively cancel because someone says they won't let it happen.

Essentially every one attempting to block the election should have been arrested. They were illegally blocking an election. So now, everyone needs a.powwow to agree a date.

What difference is that going to make if Suthep threatens to block it. The proven solution now when he threatens it will be to cancel. Great job.

The NON Election Commissions.

Perhaps if the Police had worked with the EC properly ( instead of doing as the Govt instructed - very little to nothing as usual ), things might just have been different.

[Thai at Heart]

Another great statement from the EC to PT (Thaksin) . . . work WITH us or you will never even get close to having an election any time soon as we're the ones who run it and without our help and some compromise on PT's side of things, there will be NO elections.

The EC is attempting to dictate the applicability of the law. Look at what the EC is saying; there will be no election.

The EC is not supposed to dictate whether or not there will be an election. It's job is carry out the election. Again this is the EC interfering and it is the EC who are derelict in their duty.

Kid.. i thought you were educated.. probably a bit redsighted that you cant read good anymore.

They are saying we need to come to agreement so we don't have the same problems as last time. So please listen to us and come to discuss things instead of dictating like last time. If you don't we might not be able to hold election.

Seems to me they are asking from cooperation from the government instead of being dictated of what to do.. last time they were bullied into it and look what happened.

I never knew that the reds were that fast with rewriting history, last time the EC said its not a good idea... government bullied them pushed them so they did.. result.. invalid election.

Well.if they are going to not have an election because anyone says there maybe disruption, then there will never be an election.

It is the ECs job to get in whatever protection and law enforcement it needs to get the job done, not to preemptively cancel because someone says they won't let it happen.

Essentially every one attempting to block the election should have been arrested. They were illegally blocking an election. So now, everyone needs a.powwow to agree a date.

What difference is that going to make if Suthep threatens to block it. The proven solution now when he threatens it will be to cancel. Great job.

The NON Election Commissions.

Perhaps if the Police had worked with the EC properly ( instead of doing as the Govt instructed - very little to nothing as usual ), things might just have been different.

All possible. Ifs and buts.

The only sure thing, is it isn't the ECs job to recommend delaying.

Imagine the outcry if the government said,*we don't fancy this date, how about in a months time"

They would stay in forever.

[djjamie]

It must be frustrating for the EC who are being very cooperative and open to communication when trying to work with the PTP. It comes as no surprise though as the PTP are known to not cooperate with anyone really. The EC is only the latest victim of this regimes shady, minority driven, negative trait. The list of entities and groups and individuals that is on the PTP "hit list" grows by the day.Thai Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade, World bank, Moody's, UNHCR, Human Rights Watch, the Environmentalists, the corn farmer, rubber farmers, rice farmers, medical association, rural teachers, academics, Supa, global economists, IMF, private banks, GSB, the EC, AoT, the courts, military, bangkok middle class, business owner, state enterprise staff, Buddhist monks, civil servants, labor unions, Green Politics group, Thai Constitution Protection Association, The Thai press, NIDA poll, Bangkok Poll and Khaosod.

So with a steady flow of rice farmers leaving the sinking ship that is driven by the unelectable thaksin and whose first mate, yingluck, will be a victim of her nepotistic ways, I don't think the EC really even need to deal with the PTP anymore. Let the ship sink itself on the coral reef of corruption and criminality and the majority, the majority that were silent and scared to come out and question the regime due to threats and intimidation, can then get on with bringing the country back to peace, reform and ALL 15 principles of democracy.

Well done EC for showing tolerance, patience and openness in dealing with this regime.

PTP - Resistance to change is like holding your breath. If you succeed, you die. Not long to go now.

Edited April 14, 2014 by djjamie

[ThailandNoob]

Another great statement from the EC to PT (Thaksin) . . . work WITH us or you will never even get close to having an election any time soon as we're the ones who run it and without our help and some compromise on PT's side of things, there will be NO elections.

The EC is attempting to dictate the applicability of the law. Look at what the EC is saying; there will be no election.

The EC is not supposed to dictate whether or not there will be an election. It's job is carry out the election. Again this is the EC interfering and it is the EC who are derelict in their duty.

Kid.. i thought you were educated.. probably a bit redsighted that you cant read good anymore.

They are saying we need to come to agreement so we don't have the same problems as last time. So please listen to us and come to discuss things instead of dictating like last time. If you don't we might not be able to hold election.

Seems to me they are asking from cooperation from the government instead of being dictated of what to do.. last time they were bullied into it and look what happened.

I never knew that the reds were that fast with rewriting history, last time the EC said its not a good idea... government bullied them pushed them so they did.. result.. invalid election.

Well.if they are going to not have an election because anyone says there maybe disruption, then there will never be an election.

It is the ECs job to get in whatever protection and law enforcement it needs to get the job done, not to preemptively cancel because someone says they won't let it happen.

Essentially every one attempting to block the election should have been arrested. They were illegally blocking an election. So now, everyone needs a.powwow to agree a date.

What difference is that going to make if Suthep threatens to block it. The proven solution now when he threatens it will be to cancel. Great job.

The NON Election Commissions.

Perhaps if the Police had worked with the EC properly ( instead of doing as the Govt instructed - very little to nothing as usual ), things might just have been different.

I think the police were itching to stop the disruptions, but were prevented from doing so by court rulings and fear of a military coup.

Anyway, why should elections be held hostage by unelectable thugs?

Sent from my IS11T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[BlueNoseCodger]

I need your help.

When people talk about reforms before election. What does this mean?

Does anyone have knowledge about concrete reforms. (for example election law) ?

Who decides what reform has to happen?

Why the Election Commission has the power to delay or suspend an election ?

How is this Election Commission created. Who are the members of this commission ?

Thanks in advance for bringing light into my darkness.

Tom

Research General Prem, and you'll understand better, there are two recent CC appointments not approved, which will also help you understand the upcoming events.

The rest is theatre. An opera. Only we cannot explain the plot to you without ordering pizza. Many of Suthep supporters are deceived as to who they are actually supporting.

[geriatrickid]

Another great statement from the EC to PT (Thaksin) . . . work WITH us or you will never even get close to having an election any time soon as we're the ones who run it and without our help and some compromise on PT's side of things, there will be NO elections.

The EC is attempting to dictate the applicability of the law. Look at what the EC is saying; there will be no election.

The EC is not supposed to dictate whether or not there will be an election. It's job is carry out the election. Again this is the EC interfering and it is the EC who are derelict in their duty.

Kid.. i thought you were educated.. probably a bit redsighted that you cant read good anymore.

They are saying we need to come to agreement so we don't have the same problems as last time. So please listen to us and come to discuss things instead of dictating like last time. If you don't we might not be able to hold election.

Seems to me they are asking from cooperation from the government instead of being dictated of what to do.. last time they were bullied into it and look what happened.

I never knew that the reds were that fast with rewriting history, last time the EC said its not a good idea... government bullied them pushed them so they did.. result.. invalid election.

I draw your attention to the two principal reasons why there was a problem with the last election;

1. The PDRC successfully sabotaged the election by blocking voter registration, candidate registration and disrupting polling.

2. The Democrats chose not to participate.

The government was not the group that violently interfered, nor intimidated voters. The EC officials in some cases refused to register candidates or staff polling stations.

The police were prevented from taking any stern measures because the military came right out and said that no force could be used against the election saboteurs. The EC refused to support the police.

On the contrary, the government did not bully the EC, but asked it to do its job which was to oversee and manage the election. The EC failed. IMO it was intentional. You are now trying to blame the government for the behaviour of Suthep and his group of thugs and bullies.

[geriatrickid]

Another great statement from the EC to PT (Thaksin) . . . work WITH us or you will never even get close to having an election any time soon as we're the ones who run it and without our help and some compromise on PT's side of things, there will be NO elections.

The EC is attempting to dictate the applicability of the law. Look at what the EC is saying; there will be no election.

The EC is not supposed to dictate whether or not there will be an election. It's job is carry out the election. Again this is the EC interfering and it is the EC who are derelict in their duty.

Ha ha, ok gk, if you say so.

I think the rest of us in the real world see the EC advising Thaksin on how to follow the law/constitution so that things are done correctly and legally rather than PT dictating to them how "they" want things to run regardless of the legalities.

The EC has a duty to ensure that an election is held within the time frame set out in the law. The EC has the authority to manage that aspect of the election. The government has no control over how the EC will manage that process. Why is the EC focused solely on the government? Was it the government that threatened voters, that disrupted polling stations, that blocked candidate registrations etc.? The EC officials in several areas refused to carry out their duties and yet, not one of the implicated officials was sacked.

[Tatsujin]

Another great statement from the EC to PT (Thaksin) . . . work WITH us or you will never even get close to having an election any time soon as we're the ones who run it and without our help and some compromise on PT's side of things, there will be NO elections.

The EC is attempting to dictate the applicability of the law. Look at what the EC is saying; there will be no election.

The EC is not supposed to dictate whether or not there will be an election. It's job is carry out the election. Again this is the EC interfering and it is the EC who are derelict in their duty.

Ha ha, ok gk, if you say so.

I think the rest of us in the real world see the EC advising Thaksin on how to follow the law/constitution so that things are done correctly and legally rather than PT dictating to them how "they" want things to run regardless of the legalities.

The EC has a duty to ensure that an election is held within the time frame set out in the law. The EC has the authority to manage that aspect of the election. The government has no control over how the EC will manage that process. Why is the EC focused solely on the government? Was it the government that threatened voters, that disrupted polling stations, that blocked candidate registrations etc.? The EC officials in several areas refused to carry out their duties and yet, not one of the implicated officials was sacked.

The Govt has a duty to follow and uphold the law and constitution and to follow the principles of democracy. They chose instead to continue to break laws whenever it suited them yet none of those implicated have been sacked or arrested.

[metisdead]

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