BANGKOK, 2 April 2014 – The government has added to mounting pressure on the Election Commission (EC) to schedule a new general election following the Charter Court’s decision to nullify the Feb 2 election result.
EC Chairman Supachai Somcharoen has revealed that the EC is convening a meeting with military top brass on April 8th to discuss the possibility of a general election. The move comes after the Constitutional Court voted 6 to 3 to annul the February 2nd general election, reasoning that it was unconstitutional as the poll wasn’t held on one single day, as required under Section 108 of the Constitution.
In the meantime, Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana has asked that the Office of the Council of State interpret the Charter Court ruling, as well as look into the possibility of a new election. He added that only the EC has the power to issue a new election decree.
Meanwhile, the PM’s Secretary General Suranand Vejjajiva, also says that the EC is the only authority that can decide the exact date of an election, while expressing the belief that the government would be willing to assist with whatever was needed.
