Even if the election takes place as planned, there is still the risk a new government will not be established, an Election Commission (EC) insider said. This is because the House of Representatives cannot be convened if less than 95% of the 375 constituency MPs, plus 125 from parties’ lists, are endorsed by the EC. The EC must endorse up to 95% within 30 days of the election day. However, the 125 list-MPs are based on the proportion of votes each party obtains nationwide. If votes cannot be cast in any constituency, then the calculation cannot be made. The proportion of each party’s list-MPs will be based on the nationwide vote it obtains. If voters cannot cast their ballots in any constituency, then the number of votes for party list-MPs cannot be counted. Up until yesterday, registration of constituency candidates, particularly in several southern provinces, was still being disrupted by anti-government protesters.
The South is a stronghold of the Democrat Party, which is boycotting the election.
Earlier, the registration of party list candidates in Bangkok was marred by deadly clashes.
Hours before candidate registration opened in the capital on Saturday, four guards from the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand were shot at their protest site at Chamai Maruchet bridge. One later died in hospital.
The shooting followed Thursday’s deadly clash between the police and protesters on the last day of party list candidate registration at the Thai-Japanese Stadium.
Full Article: Poll faces new threats | Bangkok Post: news.