BANGKOK, 26 Dec 2013 – The government said it would be willing to let the Election Commission (EC) act as mediator to help settle differences between the government and the protesters.
Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana made a televised announcement following the Election Commission’s proposal, saying the government would be willing to let the EC act as mediator to help solve the current political standoff.
He however affirmed that the general election, under the constitutional law, had to be held within 60 days after the parliament dissolution, adding that there was no law allowing the government to delay the election, which is currently scheduled for 2 February 2013.
The Election Commission earlier proposed that the date for the upcoming general election be postponed due to the rising political tension as violence erupted between security officers and anti-government demonstrators who on Thursday morning attempted to break into the Thai-Japan Youth Center compound in a bid to interrupt the drawing of election numbers.
Clashes on Thursday killed one police officer and injured 25 others.
