Thai EC decides to proceed with Feb 2 general election

BANGKOK, January 3 (TNA) - The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) has decided to proceed with organizing the new general election on February 2, 2014, as scheduled despite difficulties. Election commissioner Theerawat Theeraroj told journalists of the five-member election agency's decision on Friday afternoon after its meeting earlier in the day, acknowledging that it is the duty of the EC to organize elections. Theerawat noted that the EC has already had legal solutions to solve the obstructed registrations of candidates in 28 constituencies in the Thai South. The election commissioner insisted on the neutrality of the EC, stressing that without the neutrality, the EC cannot remain in office. According to the election commissioner, the EC had earlier made proposals for the government to postpone the new general election pending political reform because of its concerns over persistent domestic political protests. Asked whether the five-member EC discussed the possibility of its resignation, the election commissioner said if the resignation was able to restore national peace, it would do, urging concerned parties to consider possible consequences of the EC resignation, as it is considered not to help solve domestic political problems. The election commissioner said the EC wishes that conflicting parties will reach a compromise through negotiations. (TNA)