EC mulls EU proposed observation of Thailand's general election

BANGKOK, November 9 (TNA) - The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) is considering a proposal of the European Union (EU) on sending a team of officials to observe the country's new general election, scheduled for early next year. EC Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong told journalists that the Thai EC is discussing the proposal of the EU with relevant agencies, including the Thai Cabinet, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) with a decision expected within two weeks. "Thailand's EC has allowed foreign nations and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to send their teams of officials to observe the country's general election since 2003 under the EC's Visitor Program, under which all the foreign observers are obliged to follow the Thai laws and conditions set by the Thai election body, namely submitting reports on their planned visits to targeted areas and not interfering in the Kingdom's electoral processes or results", stated the EC chairman. According to the EC chairman, the EU has, so far, sent two teams of its officials, 4-5 members each, to observe Thailand's general election under its Election Expert Mission (EEM), but the major European bloc has proposed to sent a team of hundreds of officials to observe the country's new general election, scheduled for February 2019, under its Election Observation Mission (EOM) with a broader function. Besides, the EC chairman said, the EU has asked that the Thai election body, instead, send a letter to invite the EU team to observe the Kingdom's new general election in all targeted areas freely. (TNA)