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Thailand to deploy thousands of police in Bangkok for election
ABC Radio Australia - January 29, 2014
"The police will take care of security... Those who are thinking of going and shutting polling stations in the morning should think twice because the police will not allow them to."
Protesters prevented early voting at many polling stations in Bangkok last Sunday. Prime Minister Yingluck confirmed Tuesday that the contentious general election will go ahead on February 2, following her meeting with the election commission in Bangkok.
"In the meeting today, the prime minister and the election commission agreed to proceed with the February 2 election without a postponement," a ruling party legal adviser who attended the meeting told reporters.
The announcement comes after reports shots were fired and two people injured at a Bangkok army facility where Ms Yingluck was holding meetings.
The government's confirmation of the poll dates comes despite threats by opposition protesters to disrupt voting. Speaking earlier, deputy prime minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Thai people were ready for an election. "We insist that the election on February 2 must be held because the majority of people want the election," he said.
The government noted that under the constitution, an election should normally be held no more than 60 days after the dissolution of parliament, which happened in early December.
Shots fired during Thai PM's meeting with election commission
An anti-government protest leader said two shots were fired while Ms Yingluck was meeting with the country's election commission.
Around 500 anti-government protesters had gathered at the Army Club compound in Bangkok where Ms Yingluck held a cabinet meeting before meeting the election commission.
"Someone fired shots. One protester was hurt and the man who fired the shots was hurt, too. They have been sent to different hospitals," Chumpol Jumsai, who was at the north Bangkok army facility, told Reuters.
Ms Yingluck was meeting members of the commission to discuss plans for the general election. The commission had argued the government's plan to hold the vote on February 2 was too soon, given the unrest in the country, and wants it delayed by up to four months.
"Today, we are here to show the government what obstacles lie ahead if it holds the February 2 election," election commission member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said. "We believe chaos will ensue. Our new recommendation is to hold elections within three or four months."
The commission candidates have been unable to register in some constituencies, meaning there would not be a quorum to open parliament even if voting went ahead.
Ms Yingluck has faced nearly three months of mass street demonstrations demanding her government step down to make way for an unelected "people's council" that would oversee reforms aimed at curbing the dominance of her family.
The opposition Democrats are boycotting the February polls, saying reforms are needed to ensure the election is truly democratic and to prevent abuse of power by the next government.
Protesters threaten to close 'every route' to polling stations
Anti-government protesters forced the closure of 19 out of 50 polling stations in Bangkok, disrupting advance voting for the disputed general election. Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has threatened to "close every route" to polling stations, raising fears of further violence.
More than two million people are registered for the advance vote ahead of the poll next week.
The election commission says there might not be a quorum to open parliament and choose a government. "The election result might not yield enough seats," Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said. "It might take four to six months to convene parliament."
The election commission said it would hold by-elections until all parliamentary seats are filled. That could take up to six months and leave Thailand with a government that cannot pass laws or a budget.
At least nine people have died and more than 500 injured since political violence started late last year, after the lower house of Thailand's parliament passed an amnesty bill appearing to benefit the prime minister's brother, former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises travellers in Thailand to exercise a high degree of caution, and to avoid all locations where protests are occurring due to the risk of further violent attacks. (ABC/wires)
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