Independent organizations' proposal to end Thailand's political strife likely to be unsuccessful

BANGKOK, March 18 (TNA) - A proposal from six independent organizations to solve Thailand's political deadlock is likely to be unsuccessful, after it has been dismissed by the anti-government side. But an election commissioner, Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, told journalists on Tuesday that the six organizations, including the Election Commission of Thailand (EC), will wait for carefully-considered replies from both the caretaker government and the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) until March 24, urging both sides to thoroughly study the proposal. On March 17, the six independent organizations, including the EC, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Office of the Ombudsman and the State Audit Commission, jointly announced the proposal on forming a neutral panel acceptable to both the caretaker government and the PDRC; so, the panel will work out a national reform process which satisfies both sides. The election commissioner noted that the six organizations are waiting for both sides to nominate members of the neutral panel and they will then publicize the lists. According to the election commissioner, if the caretaker government and the PDRC failed to cooperate, the six organizations would consider they have done their best and would end their mediation attempt. The election commissioner also stressed that the EC had tried to organize the February 2 general election and he expects the Constitution Court to rule either that the EC is to complete the general election, through new elections, or it is to declare the February 2 national poll invalid, and that EC Chairman Supachai Somcharoen is scheduled to testify before the Constitution Court on the legality of the February 2 general election on March 19, 2014. (TNA)