Thai Election Commission: Impossible To Hold Election On July 20

BANGKOK, May 18 (TNA) - The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand believes it is quite impossible to hold a general election on July 20 as initially agreed with the caretaker government, said Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn on Sunday. Mr. Somchai said that the EC is awaiting to hold talks with the caretaker government on when to organise a fresh general election after negotiations with the caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisarn on May 15 abruptly ended due to the disruption by anti-government protesters. Mr. Somchai said that the EC would also ask the caretaker government two major pending issues including whether Mr. Niwattumrong is empowered to submit a bill to His Majesty the King for Royal endorsement on holding the fresh election and whether the EC would have full authority in postponing the election in case an unrest erupted during the poll. As political unrest continues in Thailand, Mr. Somchai said the EC would request concerned security agencies to submit security plans for the election so that the agency could be assured that the fresh poll could succeed and money would not be wasted. He also noted that if the upcoming fresh round of negotiations with the caretaker government failed to materialise because of protester gathering, then how could the new poll succeed. (TNA)