Thai EC prepares for new general election

BANGKOK, December 11 (TNA) - The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) is preparing for the forthcoming new general election in the country, where there are about 48 million eligible voters. Regarding movements ahead of Thailand's new general election, set on February 2, 2014 by a Royal Decree, acting election commissioners and their successors met at the EC office in the Government Complex on Wednesday to discuss its preparations. It was then initially concluded that the application for list-MP candidates will be from December 23-27, 2013 and that for constituency candidates from December 28, 2013-January 1, 2014; while the advance voting was set on January 26, 2014. Meanwhile, former MPs of the Matchima faction resigned as members of the Bhumjaithai Party and they were expected to join the Pheu Thai Party. Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, Spokesman of the Democrat Party, told reporters that the new executive board of his party would be elected in its special assembly on December 16-17, 2013 and would decide whether his party would field candidates in the new election. The spokesman cautioned that a quick snap election after the House dissolution could result in problems.(TNA)