October Elections To Be Postponed

[george]

Elections to be postponed: PM

BANGKOK: -- The elections slated for next month will be postponed, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Saturday, confirming a delay in polls intended to end months of political deadlock.

"It's very likely the election must be postponed. (A delay) is expected because it will take time before the king endorses the new Election Commission," he said.

Senators late Friday selected five new commissioners in the first step towards a new vote.

But officials warned that the election body will not be ready in time and that the polls slated for October 15 will more likely take place at the end of the year.

Any pushback could tip Thailand into a political crisis threatened since last April's elections were invalidated.

Those polls were called three years early by Thaksin to quell demands that he quit.

Thaksin refused Saturday to say for how long the elections would be delayed, saying the government had to meet with the Election Commission before a date could be set.

He also side-stepped questions about the commission selection, which saw three reportedly anti-Thaksin candidates passed over.

A block of 67 senators out of 187 voted for the same five candidates, all of whom are aligned with the government.

"It is not our duty to comment on such matters. It is our duty to comply with the rules and regulations," he told reporters.

One new commissioner, Prapun Naigowit, told Thai television late Friday that he also thought October elections should be postponed to avoid legal problems.

-- AFP 2006-09-09

[ratcatcher]

Elections to be postponed: PM

BANGKOK: -- The elections slated for next month will be postponed, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Saturday, confirming a delay in polls intended to end months of political deadlock.

"It's very likely the election must be postponed. (A delay) is expected because it will take time before the king endorses the new Election Commission," he said.

Senators late Friday selected five new commissioners in the first step towards a new vote.

But officials warned that the election body will not be ready in time and that the polls slated for October 15 will more likely take place at the end of the year.

Any pushback could tip Thailand into a political crisis threatened since last April's elections were invalidated.

Those polls were called three years early by Thaksin to quell demands that he quit.

Thaksin refused Saturday to say for how long the elections would be delayed, saying the government had to meet with the Election Commission before a date could be set.

He also side-stepped questions about the commission selection, which saw three reportedly anti-Thaksin candidates passed over.

A block of 67 senators out of 187 voted for the same five candidates, all of whom are aligned with the government.

"It is not our duty to comment on such matters. It is our duty to comply with the rules and regulations," he told reporters.

One new commissioner, Prapun Naigowit, told Thai television late Friday that he also thought October elections should be postponed to avoid legal problems.

-- AFP 2006-09-09

Who would have guessed?

[astral]

If they are postponed will they still be the October Elections?

[chownah]

If they are postponed will they still be the October Elections?

There are a 366 different dates possible in a year and 31 dates possible in the month of October....that means the chances of the October election being postponed and still being the October election is approximately 31 out of 366.

This indicates the degree of certainty I attach to any rescheduling done by the Thai gov't.

[slimdog]

There are a 366 different dates possible in a year and 31 dates possible in the month of October....that means the chances of the October election being postponed and still being the October election is approximately 31 out of 366.

Actually there are only 52 possible dates in a year, as all elections have to fall on a Sunday. The date of 22nd October was dismissed as a possibility due to the fact that it fell during Ramadam and the mosques in the south of the country (which serve as election stations) would not be able to be used.

With the April elections cancelled partly due to the fact that it was felt by the Supreme Court that insufficient time was allowed for opposition parties to campaign, the new EC will be conscious of allowing the maximum time possible (60 days from a Royal Decree). With a Royal Command not possible until after the Senate speaker has forwarded both the names of the Senate selectee's and the future President of the EC to his Majesty(EC Meeting scheduled for this Thursday), the earliest date would be for a new Royal decree to be issued around 19th September at the cabinet meeting and for the election to be on the 12th November which would be 54 days after the decree came into effect.

[bino]

The date of 22nd October was dismissed as a possibility due to the fact that it fell during Ramadam and the mosques in the south of the country (which serve as election stations) would not be able to be used.

More likely that this date was passed over because it is the Chulalongkorn day long weekend.

[slimdog]

The date of 22nd October was dismissed as a possibility due to the fact that it fell during Ramadam and the mosques in the south of the country (which serve as election stations) would not be able to be used.

More likely that this date was passed over because it is the Chulalongkorn day long weekend.

Decision soon on poll date

Published on May 23, 2006

The Election Commission will decide soon whether to shift the date for the new election back to October 29, as suggested by the government, EC secretary-general Ekachai Warunprapa said yesterday.

The EC initially proposed October 22 for the poll, but the government rejected the date as it coincides with the end of Ramadan and would inconvenience Muslims, Ekachai said. "Before finalising its decision, the EC may invite political parties for consultation," he said.

Source:http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.news.php?clid=5&id=30004679

[John K]

If I were to guess the weekend of November 18 or 25. Before that it may hit Loi Krathong on November 4-5 this year. After that it may be too close to the King's birthday on December 5.

Edited September 10, 2006 by John K

[kayo]

right, ... and as a result ShinCorps stays in power longer still....

[Rinrada]

December 25th could be a good one...

[John K]

GENERAL ELECTION

Foreign leaders keen on progress

Caretaker prime minister says impasse sullied reputation

International leaders want to know when Thailand will elect a new government, caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra reports from Europe.

It had become highly unlikely the scheduled October 15 poll would go ahead, Thaksin said yesterday.

He told the Thai News Agency European and Asian leaders at the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) in Helsinki had asked him about the ballot.

Thaksin added leaders offered congratulations for the improvement in Thai politics.

"Most of them are interested as to when an election will be held. They are following the democratic process and want to see our democracy continue systematically," he was quoted as saying in a TNA report from Helsinki.

Thaksin said the next prime minister would need to restore Thailand's lost credibility with the world community. Its reputation had been tarnished by political conflict. He said the country's economy and investment prospects had been affected as a result.

In Tajikistan on Saturday Thaksin told Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov an election could be held in November, according to TNA.

Thaksin told Rakhmonov light-heartedly his popularity rating might not be as high as the Tajik leader's but he hoped both of them experienced landslide victories in their respective elections.

The two leaders discussed boosting economic cooperation.

The Asem summit ends today and Thaksin is scheduled to return to Thailand tomorrow.

It is widely anticipated a general election scheduled for October 15 will be postponed in order to give a new Election Commission time to prepare for the vote.

The Senate last Friday selected five election commissioners, replacing their predecessors who either resigned or were forced to quit after being found guilty of mishandling of the April 2 election. The courts annulled that result.

The new EC members said they needed more time to prepare the election and to ensure it was free and fair.

One of the five, Sumet Oupanisakorn, said yesterday he was not a suitable EC chairman because of his age. The post should go to a younger, decisive commissioner.

He disagreed the most senior commissioner should be chairman.

The new commissioners are scheduled to meet the EC caretaker secretary-general on Thursday and are expected to discuss the selection of a new EC chief.

Meanwhile, support was growing yesterday for Kaewsan Atibodhi, a failed EC nominee, to take up the post of EC secretary-general. The former senator on Saturday made it known he was eyeing the seat.

Some politicians and activists yesterday expressed their support for Kaewsan even though the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party pointed to doubts about his neutrality.

However, Sumet and fellow commissioner Apichart Sukhakkanon yesterday said there were issues more urgent than finding a new secretary-general.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/11...es_30013297.php

[Tony Clifton]

Putting words in other politicians mouths, thinking that being abroad will allow him to get away with more lies...

[Greer]

...now I AM getting worried...

[John K]

If I were to guess the weekend of November 18 or 25. Before that it may hit Loi Krathong on November 4-5 this year. After that it may be too close to the King's birthday on December 5.

Election date delayed not sooner than Nov 19 : EC office

The new election commissioners will be asked to consider recommendations from Election Commission (EC) staff that a general election be held no sooner than November 19.

EC deputy secretary general Sathaporn Santibutr would recommend an election date "not sooner than November 19", he said Monday.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said his party had no difficulty with a postponed election. The new commissioners needed to get settled and had local elections to endorse.

Nevertheless, a free and fair general election should be held as soon as possible.

He said the new commissioners would face considerable pressure and expectations from the public.

However, political parties should not interfere with the selecฌtion of a new commission secreฌtarygeneral.

Former secretary general Ekachai Warunprapa submitted his resignation on August 17.

Some support has emerged for former senator Kaewsan Atibhoti, an unsuccessful candidate for a commissioner's position.

Thai Rak Thai Party spokesman Sita Divari cast doubt over the neuฌtrality of Kaewsan, citing his parฌticipation in a campaign against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapaarcha said an election could be held on November 19 or 26.

"If it is in the fourth week of November it will be on the 26th. Will that be too close to His Majesty the King's birthday? The 19th or the 26th are suitable, but I want to know when the registration days are. I don't think it should be after November or be as late as December," he said.

The Nation

[Netfan]

The Good Dr. T's new role model-- From post #11......"In Tajikistan on Saturday Thaksin told Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov an election could be held in November, according to TNA. Thaksin told Rakhmonov light-heartedly his popularity rating might not be as high as the Tajik leader's but he hoped both of them experienced landslide victories in their respective elections. The two leaders discussed boosting economic cooperation."

From the UN Human Rights Watch Report, September 2006:

Human Rights Watch World Report 2006 - Tajikistan

"Human rights conditions worsened in Tajikistan following political upheaval in neighboring Kyrgyzstan in March 2005 and violence in Uzbekistan in May. Concerned with possible domestic unrest, the government jailed opposition leaders and journalists on spurious charges. Ongoing state persecution of independent media led to the closure of key print and broadcast outlets.

Flawed parliamentary elections also marred Tajikistan's rights record in 2005. Although it noted improvements over previous elections, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) characterized the February 2005 polls as failing to meet international standards....In August 2004, police raided the offices of the Taraqqiyot (Tajikistan Development) party after its members published an open letter accusing President Emomali Rakhmonov of practicing the "politics of genocide." "

http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/hom...p;id=43cfaea816

Edited September 11, 2006 by Netfan

[Jai Dee]

PAD: EC should not hold the poll soon

Mr. Sondhi Limthongkul (สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล), one of the key members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), views that the new Election Commission (EC) should not hold the general election soon, or else, they will be looked upon as people who are favouring “Thaksin regime”.

Mr. Sondhi is preparing to submit a document to the EC, while requesting them to clear all the pending issues. He noted that the EC should rapidly adjust the EC provincial organization chart, in order to have a transparent election to follow His Majesty the King’s wish.

In response to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’ s unclear movements on whether he will take a political break or, Mr. Sondhi said that the premier is extending his time to wait for the election issues to be clearer.

As for the meeting between the lecturers from various universities and Privy Councilor and Statesman Prem Tinsulanonda’s (เปรม ติณสูลานนท์), the PAD leader said that this movement shows that people need an alternative.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 September 2006

[Artisi]

on and on and on - boring - boring - boring.

It could only be Thailand - even Iraq with all its problems can mount an election in the middle of an ongoing war.