Thai PM expects new election in November

DUSHANBE, Sept 10 (TNA) – During an official visit to Tajikistan, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he expected that a rescheduled new general election could be held in November at the earliest.

Speaking to a Thai News Agency reporter who accompanied him during a stopover at this central Asian country enroute to the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit, to be held in the Finnish capital of Helsinki Sunday and Monday, Mr. Thaksin said he personally believed that the election could be held in
November after all five members of the new Election Commission (EC) were selected.

The new Election Commission was selected on Friday by Senators. Yesterday, Prapan Naikowit, who received the highest number of votes from the Upper House, told journalists in Bangkok that the scheduled poll date of October 15 must be delayed because there is not enough preparatory time for the new EC to complete its tasks.

He said he would consult with the other four members as well as political parties and concerned officials regarding a new date.

Mr. Thaksin said he expected the Senate Speaker would forward the list of EC members elected by the Senate for Royal endorsement about Friday and that approval could be given five days later.

The new Election Commission will need to cancel the existing Royal decree calling for an October 15 election and issue a new decree which could be enforced around October 1, Mr. Thaksin explained, adding that he believed the election could be held in November.

The caretaker prime minister went on to say that his Thai Rak Thai Party still had several projects in mind, but he again sidestepped confirming whether he would contest the upcoming poll.

TNA