The Constitutional Court of Thailand on January 24 said that the upcoming election, scheduled for February 2, may be legally postponed, a move believed to be able to ease the current tension in the country.
The court’s judges also agreed that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and election commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn need to reach a decision on a new date for the poll.
Earlier, the Election Commission asked for the court’s intervention, saying that it is impossible to organise a successful and safe election in the current climate of demonstrations and escalating violence.
Meanwhile, the Thai Government said it cannot by itself postpone the election as there is no provision in the constitution that allows it to do so. In a bid to ensure safety for the polls, the government has decided to impose the state of emergency.
However, representatives of the government have acknowledged that they would be willing to take the court’s decision to delay the poll.
The decision may affect the candidates who have started their campaign. Participating parties are scheduled to hold internal meetings to decide their response.
Srisuthiyakorn has already hinted that the February election may be delayed for at least three months.-VNA
The court’s judges also agreed that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and election commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn need to reach a decision on a new date for the poll.
Earlier, the Election Commission asked for the court’s intervention, saying that it is impossible to organise a successful and safe election in the current climate of demonstrations and escalating violence.
Meanwhile, the Thai Government said it cannot by itself postpone the election as there is no provision in the constitution that allows it to do so. In a bid to ensure safety for the polls, the government has decided to impose the state of emergency.
However, representatives of the government have acknowledged that they would be willing to take the court’s decision to delay the poll.
The decision may affect the candidates who have started their campaign. Participating parties are scheduled to hold internal meetings to decide their response.
Srisuthiyakorn has already hinted that the February election may be delayed for at least three months.-VNA
