Bangkok, Jan 24 – Thailand’s Constitutional Court has agreed to consider the Election Commission (EC)’s petition to postpone the general election which is scheduled to be held on Feb 2.
The court made the decision after a two-hour special meeting this afternoon.
The EC petition has sought a ruling from the court whether the general election could be rescheduled, and if so, whether the Government or the EC was authorised to set a new date.
The court will begin to consider the petition tomorrow.
The election process will begin with early voting this Sunday (Jan 26).
Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s Pheu Thai Party is expected to win the general election, which is being opposed by Suthep Thuagsuban and his group, the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).
Suthep has yet to announce plans by the group with regard to the early voting but observers expect a possibility of disruption.
In the south, where the PDRC receives strong support, the EC revealed its staff did not dare to go to certain areas because of the strong opposition to the election.
The PDRC wants a reform to be undertaken first before the election, and opposes the continued influence of Yingluck’s brother, ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, on the government, accusing him of corruption.
– Bernama
