BANGKOK 27 December 2013 — Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana has insisted that the general election go on as scheduled, stating that the government has no authority to postpone the election date.
After violent clashes broke out between protesters and police at the Thai-Japan stadium at Din Daeng on December 26 , the Election Commission (EC) has urged the government to postpone the upcoming general elections until a mutual understanding can be reached between the two opposing sides.
Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana, however, has insisted that the general election date remain fixed for February 2, 2014 – adding that no clause in the charter authorizes the government to change the election date.
Referring to the nation’s constitution, Mr. Phongthep pointed out that nowhere does it state that the government is authorized to change or postpone a general election. It stated explicitly that an election must take place within 60 days after the dissolution of parliament. Delaying the election date would only worsen the current political turmoil.
The deputy prime minister further stated that an election is therefore needed in order for a reform to take place within the country, and to give Thai people a chance to excise their democratic rights and elect their candidates.
