Both parties are claiming victory after Thailand’s general elections, but so far no clear result has been announced by the government, which has called for a new polling round due to numerous disruptions in at least 10% of the constituencies.
The Election Commission of Thailand has announced that 89.2 percent of the polling stations throughout the country were able to conduct the general election on 2 February 2014.
Out of Thailand’s 77 provinces, nine provinces were unable to conduct polling and nine were able to do so in some districts.
The Election Commission has faced many challenges and obstacles since 12 December 2013, the day the Commission announced the date of general election. Many of the Election Commission’s provincial offices have been closed by the PDRC’s protesters. Many of its officers also faced with tremendous pressures from the PDRC and the protesters.
said the EC in an official statement released yesterday.
The Election Commission explained that because of inability to register election candidates and to conduct election in many constituencies, by law the results of the 2 February’s vote count would not be officially announced immediately.
The announcement would be made when the election results from all constituencies had been counted, including a new round of advance voting on 23 February 2014.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation, Mr. Tarit Pengdith, said that 68 provinces and 89.1 percent of constituents successfully cast their ballots in the February 2 general election.
Election Commission to hold new polls within one week
The Election Commission (EC) should hold new elections in unsuccessful constituencies in seven days to enable voters to exercise their rights, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana said today.
Out of 94,454 polling stations in 375 constituencies, he said election proceeded smoothly in 84,325 stations, representing 89.28 per cent.
He said 310 constituencies operated without any problem, 26 constituencies were partially open for voting and 39 constituencies could not be opened.
In Bangkok’s 33 constituencies which cover 6,671 polling stations, elections were organised without disruptions in 20 constituencies and partial elections were held in 13 constituencies, or 92.59 per cent of the total constituencies, he said.
“The government hopes that people who could not cast their ballots today will be able to exercise their rights in seven days,”
said Mr Pongthep.
EC chairman Supachai Somcharoen said the EC could not announce nationwide voting results until it receives results from three portions – advance election, overseas election and general election.
Advance elections on Jan 26 were called off due to disruptions by protesters and the EC has set Feb 23 for another round of advance elections.
About the author
Bangkok Correspondent for Siam News Network. Editor at Thailand Business News
