Thailand Post Co has decided to stop distributing ballot papers following threats by anti-government protesters, the Election Commission (EC) says. EC secretary-general Puchong Nutrawong said Thailand Post president Anusara Chittmittrapap submitted a letter to the EC on Tuesday to announce the decision. According to the letter, People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protesters on Tuesday blocked the entrances to Thailand Post Co on Chaeng Watthana Road and several post offices after demonstrators learned the state enterprise was handling the delivery of the ballot papers. Protesters had threatened to disrupt water and water supplies to Thailand Post Co as well as its delivery operations if the firm continued to deliver the ballot papers, the letter said. Thailand Post Co had decided it could no longer support the EC’s work in the election, the letter said.
Protesters also surrounded Chumphon postal centre in Muang district on Tuesday.
The centre is the ballot paper distribution hub for the upper southern provinces of Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, Phangnga and Phuket.
Centre chief Sombat Nupak said he would discuss with EC officials in five provinces as to whether they will come to pick up the ballot papers.
PDRC Chumphon chapter leader Krit Kaewrak said most people in the province disagreed with holding an election before national reform, so they do not want the ballot papers distributed.
Full Article: Threats force halt to ballot paper deliveries | Bangkok Post: news.