A new election cannot be called within 45 to 60 days as requested by Pheu Thai and other political parties, a meeting of the Election Commission (EC) decided yesterday.
Representatives of the security chiefs met the Election Commission (EC) at its office in the central government complex in Laksi district yesterday to discuss security relating to the organisation of the next general election. Tawatchai Kemgumnerd
The poll agency had initially hoped to meet with leaders of the three armed forces and the police. However, the security agencies only sent their representatives.
Interior Ministry permanent secretary Wiboon Sanguanphong was the only top state official who participated in the EC meeting.
EC secretary-general Puchong Nutrawong said following the meeting that the representatives of each security agency had evaluated the situation and resolved that the new poll to replace the Feb 2 election, which was nullified by the Constitutional Court, could not be called within 45-60 days as had been requested by 53 political parties, not including the Democrat Party.
Mr Puchong said the meeting agreed that an election is a way out of the current political chaos and it should be called as soon as possible, but security and peace must be assigned high priorities.
All parties are ready to help the election proceed as normal after the conflicts have been resolved, he said.
The agencies think the current situation could still hinder the election and calling a new one would not be fruitful.
In addition, the meeting decided the new election date could not yet be set, despite the fact that there had been a tentative proposal that it could be called within the next 60 to 90 days.
On April 22, the EC plans to hold a meeting with political parties again to discuss the security agencies’ concerns and hear their opinions.
“In the far South, the Feb 2 poll happened, but [insurgent] violence recently erupted. This is another concern,” Mr Puchong said.