Thailand's Election Commission (EC) will decide whether to delay
the April 2 snap election due to fears that pressing on with the
present schedule may result in the failure for the 500-MP House of
Representatives to meet.
EC chairman Wassana Permlarp said he was considering postponing
the election and the decision was expected to be made within five
days, reported Bangkok Post newspaper.
Wassana wanted to await a ruling by the Supreme Court on whether
it would disqualify 84 more candidates, who had earlier been
endorsed by regional EC offices but were later found to lack
certain qualifications.
According to the EC, of the 941 candidates registered earlier
this month, 320 have failed to qualify, mostly because they held
dual party membership or failed to meet the 90-day rule.
A total of 271 out of the 400 constituencies in 71 provinces
have just one candidate contesting. In this circumstance, the
candidates, most from Thai Rak Thai party, must garner at least 20
percent of all eligible votes in their constituencies to claim
victory. If failed, there will not be the full quorum of 500 MPs to
open parliament.
Earlier in the day, election commissioner Prinya Nakchudtree
said it was likely the agency would go ahead with the April 2
general election. "As of now, we will have to go ahead as planned,"
Prinya said.
Amid mounting political pressure sparked by Thaksin family's
selling controlling stake in Shin Corp to a Singapore investment
company, the prime minister on Feb. 24 announced that the new
parliamentary elections would be held on April 2 following an
abrupt decision to dissolve the House.
(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2006)
