Pheu Thai, Chartthaipattana, Chart Pattana and Phalang Chon parties stepped up calls on Friday for the EC to wrap up the incomplete election process, warning that the country faces the threat of huge economic damage in the absence of a government. But election commissioner Somchai Srisuttiyakon yesterday dismissed the request, saying the EC was required to act within the law. He was speaking at a meeting of chairmen and directors of provincial election committees to discuss preparations for the Senate election on March 30 and the poll re-runs. Mr Somchai, who is in charge of election management, said it was impossible to hold a fresh election in the 28 southern constituencies which had no registered candidates as the caretaker government and the EC still could not reach a clear conclusion on how to proceed.
He noted that the Senate poll should be less prone to problems than the Feb 2 general election, which was disrupted by anti-government protests and boycotted by the Democrat Party. He said if elections could not take place in any province due to disruptions or other problems, that should not affect the work of the Senate. The constitution allows senators who serve out their terms to remain in office until new senators are elected to replace them.
Mr Somchai also said the Senate election and the poll re-runs would take place on different dates to reduce the risk of problems. “Even if problems do arise, it will be less difficult than the Feb 2 poll,” Mr Somchai said.
The coalition parties wanted the EC to complete the general election within 30 days of the original Feb 2 poll date, or by March 4.
Full Article: EC rejects ‘impossible’ re-run demand | Bangkok Post: news.