Yingluck will not quit, EC urged to join election discussion

Yingluck will not quit, EC urged to join election discussion

Yingluck Shinawatra insisted Tuesday she will remain on as caretaker prime minister and will take part in Wednesday's meeting with various sides to discuss the Election Commission's proposal to postpone the Feb 2 general election.

"I will continue to carry out my duty as prime minister, not because I want to cling to my post or to attain political stability, but because it is my duty to protect democracy and democracy belongs to the people," Ms Yingluck, the caretaker premier and defence minister, told reporters on Tuesday.

She was responding to questions about the anti-government protesters' demand she step down to allow the pre-election reform process to begin.

Ms Yingluck said she will participate in the discussion on Wednesday on whether to postpone the Feb 2 election.

Caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)

She said the government acknowledges the importance of the EC's proposal but must listen to the viewpoints of the different sides, including EC members themselves.

Only this way could they directly gather ideas and opinions from others and move toward solving problems, she said.

Ms Yingluck said the election dilemma has two parts - administering the election and the legal issue.  

The government would like to hear suggestions from various sectors, as proposed by the EC, before taking further action, and it will try to get representatives from the Democrat Party and the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) to join in Wednesday's meeting, she said.

"We want to see the Democrat Party show intent to respect the electoral process and regulations so that the country can move forward," Ms Yingluck said.

On the PDRC's demand that reform must take place before the election, she said it would be better if opposing sides instead talk to each other, since protests would only damage the country and cause trouble for the people.

"I ask all sides to cooperate, take part in the reform discussion and abide by the rules," the caretaker prime minister said.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana also said the EC should take part in Wednesday's discussion, since it is the agency which proposed the deferment.

"It would be strange if the EC does not join in the talks,'' he said, adding that the meeting has been scheduled for 10am at the Royal Thai Air Force headquarters.

Mr Pongthep earlier said the government would invite about 70 people representating various agencies to discuss the EC's proposal.

On election commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn's request that the government and the EC should first meet to reach an understanding, Mr Pongthep said it would be good if the EC could explain its position to all concerned at the same time during Wednesday's meeting.

He said it was not known if Democrat and PDRC representatives would turn up on Wednesday.

Caretaker Prime Minister's Office Minister Varathep Rattanakorn said the EC should not turn down the invitation to the meeting since it is directly responsible for holding the election.

PDRC spokesman Akanat Promphan said the PDRC will not attend Wednesday's meeting with the government. 

"The government and the EC can discuss the issue, but the great mass of people want to see national reform before an election," Mr Akanat said.

Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)

EC member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said the commission has requested a meeting with the prime minister on Thursday to discuss the proposed deferment of the polls.

Mr Somchai, the commissioner in charge of election management, said all five members of the EC had agreed not to attend the meeting, to which 70 people representing various agencies have been invited to discuss the matter.

Mr Somchai said the EC would instead assign secretary-general Puchon Nutrawong to represent it at the meeting. EC members were of the opinion that a meeting involving so many people could not lead to a useful conclusion, only more conflict, he said.

"The EC needs to consult with the government to find a solution to the problems. We think it would be pointless for a large number of people with different opinions and interests to discuss the matter.

"Moreover and importantly, the government and EC still lack a common understanding," he said.

Mr Somchai said the EC had asked PM's secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva to arrange a meeting between the EC and government, on Jan 16.

On that day, all five EC members are willing to go to meet the prime minister. A decision on whether the election should be deferred from Feb 2 could be reached on that day, he said.

Mr Somchai said it is necessary that the prime minister attend the proposed meeting on Thursday.

"We have contacted Mr Suranand about this.  We are waiting for a reply on the time and place for us to meet.

"If a meeting on Jan 16 cannot be arranged, we would invite the prime minister to meet us on Jan 17 instead," he added.

EC secretary-general Puchong said registration for advance voting for Thais living in 67 foreign countries went smoothly.

Mr Puchong said 143,807 out of a total of 1.04 million Thais living overseas had registered for advance voting, which is scheduled to be held at 92 Thai embassies and consulates from Jan 13 to 26.

He said Singapore has the highest number of registered eligible voters at 10,332, followed by Taipei at 8,560, Los Angeles at 8,251, Tel Aviv at 7,238, and Hong Kong at 5,627.

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