Thailand to hold new elections in late April for blocked polling stations

Thailand's Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday resolved to hold new elections in late April for polling stations that were disrupted during the Jan. 26 advancing voting and Feb. 2 general election. A new round of advance voting has been set for April 20 while new voting for polling stations blocked on Feb. 2 will be held on April 27, the Nation newspaper reported. Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party that boycotted the Feb. 2 election, said Tuesday that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra should acknowledge the failure of the general election and consider calling off any new voting. EC Chairman Supachai Somcharoen has suggested the caretaker government issue a royal decree for new elections to be held in the 28 constituencies where there were no candidates registered. If the government disagrees with the proposal, the EC will petition the Constitutional Court to decide how to solve the problem, Supachai said. The EC will not organize new elections in areas that remain vulnerable to violence and violations of law; otherwise, it will only be a waste of money and time, Supachai added.