BANGKOK, 12 January 2014 Permanent Secretary for the PM’s Office Tongthong Chandransu remarks that the government has no power to issue a royal decree or an emergency decree to postpone the general election. The government’s only option is to organize the polls as planned.
The permanent secretary stressed that the constitution stipulated that a general election must take place no sooner than 45 days and no later than 60 days since the dissolution of parliament. The official also expressed his concerns over long-term effects on the country if the polls were postponed and the caretaker government ruled for an extended period of time when their activities were limited.
Mr Thonghtong added that all constituencies could have an election within 180 days although the charter stipulated that a general election must be arranged in one day.
A majority of Thais were ready to cast a ballot and those who opposed the election would rather vote No, the official said.
