BANGKOK, Dec 23 – The Election Commission (EC) kicks off registration today for candidates contesting the February 2 general election despite anti-government protesters’ warning to stage a rally at the application venue in Bangkok.
Election commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said after an urgent meeting yesterday that the EC discussed measures to cope with protesters who announced that they will demonstrate at the Thai-Japanese Stadium, the venue of the registration of party-list election candidates, from today through Friday.
The authorities have been asked to provide protection to candidates, state property and prevent violence, he said.
Protesters have warned that the registration would not be smooth as they will rally at the venue, but the EC insisted that the December 23-27 registration would not be postponed.
Mr Somchai said the EC is obliged to hold the registration as stipulated by the law while police are responsible for ensuring strict adherence to the Election Law.
He admitted that the EC has requested security reinforcement from the military, but “we may eventually not need them because our security may be sufficient to cope with the situation.”
EC secretary general Puchong Nutrawong said candidates can assign representatives to register candidates on their behalf by producing required documents.
