Thai Government To Confer With EC About Holding New General Election

BANGKOK, March 30 (TNA) - Thailand’s caretaker government is set to confer with the Election Commission (EC) this week about fixing a day for the EC to organise a fresh general election for members of the House of Representatives, Suranand Vejjajiva, a secretary-general to the Prime Minister, said on Sunday. Mr. Suranand told journalists after casting his vote to elect a senator that discussions between both sides are expected to take place within this week and the fresh general election should be held as soon as possible so that the country could move forward under the democratic system. The Prime Minister’s secretary-general also urged the major opposition Democrat Party to participate in the new general election. The Democrat Party boycotted the February 2 general election which was later nullified by the Constitution Court. Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party and a former prime minister, is still being hospitalised and did not cast vote for Sunday’s senate election as doctors advised him to take a full rest at least one week following fractured collarbone surgery after the March 26 incident in which he slipped inside his house. Mr. Abhisit is expected to officially inform the EC after he leaves the hospital on why he did not cast vote for the senate election. Without notification to the EC, Mr. Abhisit will, under the law, not be able to contest in a general election or in a senate election and will also be unable to oppose a senate election. Meanwhile, caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra cast her vote in the senate election at a polling booth, located within a school compound near her house , Sunday afternoon. A large number of policemen were deployed near the booth and her private residence to provide security. (TNA)