The Thai Government on December 26 rejected a proposal earlier made by the country's Election Commission (EC) to postpone the general election slated for February 2, 2014 to prevent the escalation of the political conflict.
In his televised speech, Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana stated that although the EC said the on-schedule election could lead to violence, the Government believes that the delay will even cause more violence.
Earlier the same day, in its statement, the five-member EC called for the delay of the election until all parties work through their differences.
The statement was issued after dozens of anti-government protesters and police officers were injured in a clash on the same day.
Police fired teargases and rubber bullets at protesters who tried to storm into a Bangkok stadium where representatives of 30 political parties vying in the election drew lots for electoral numbers.-VNA
In his televised speech, Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana stated that although the EC said the on-schedule election could lead to violence, the Government believes that the delay will even cause more violence.
Earlier the same day, in its statement, the five-member EC called for the delay of the election until all parties work through their differences.
The statement was issued after dozens of anti-government protesters and police officers were injured in a clash on the same day.
Police fired teargases and rubber bullets at protesters who tried to storm into a Bangkok stadium where representatives of 30 political parties vying in the election drew lots for electoral numbers.-VNA
