BANGKOK, Feb 6: Thai election officials struggled today to shore up a chaotic weekend ballot disrupted by anti-Government protesters who blocked polling stations and stopping people voting in nearly a quarter of the country.
They met for two hours but adjourned without making progress, saying ‘legal issues’ had to be clarified and they would meet again tomorrow.
Sunday’s poll has been challenged by the main opposition Democrat Party, which refused to take part, and the Election Commission is already investigating possible campaigning irregularities in a long-running political conflict that shows no sign of ending.
The election would likely return caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to power if it is not annulled but, whatever the result, it will not change the dysfunctional status quo after eight years of polarisation and turmoil.
Consumer confidence, which reflects views on the economy, job opportunities and future income, hit a 26-month low in January, a university survey released today showed. ‘
Our meeting yielded only one conclusion today: that those who were not able to vote on January 26 and February 2 in constituencies where there were problems have not lost their right to vote,’ commission official Somchai Srisutthiyakorn told reporters.
‘Other issues were raised in today’s meeting but we have not yet reached a conclusion due to legal issues that need to be clarified.’
Voter turnout on Sunday was 47.7 per cent, the commission said, with 20.5 million people turning up to vote out of a total of 43 million eligible voters. The data excludes voters in nine provinces where voting could not take place.
Polls were disrupted in 18 percent of constituencies, 69 out of 375, nationwide, affecting 18 out of 77 provinces. (AGENCIES)
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