Top court justices rebuff new polling date

BANGKOK, May 16 (TNA) - In their unprecedented third judicial summit to find a political solution to current political crisis, the nation’s three top justices Tuesday turned down the new election date proposed by the Election Commission,and urged the EC to step down to pave the way for the selection of the new body.

The call was made after General Charupat Ruangsuwan, one of the EC four members, resigned on Monday.

Supreme Court Spokesman Charan Phakdithanakul said the Presidents of the Supreme Court, Administrative Court and Constitution Court resolved in their one-hour meeting that the incumbent EC could not set the new polling date on October 22 as the election agency failed to make quorum when it held a meeting on Monday to set the new election date.

The Monday’s meeting was boycotted by the three main opposition parties, while representatives from 20 political parties, including the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party, attended. Only three of the five Election Commissioners were present. No substitution has been made so far for one
commissioner who died earlier.

The Supreme Court Spokesman said the top judges also renewed their plea for the three remaining election commissioners to resign to end the political stalemate.

The Constitution Court last week nullified April 2 elections on the grounds that it violated the Constitution.

The Election Commission has been under heavy criticism for organising the polls, which has plunged Thai politics in limbo for many months without a functioning parliament and forced Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to step aside.

TNA
May 16, 2006